Bengal makes RT-PCR tests mandatory on fliers from 9 states

Kolkata: Air travellers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh have to produce an RT-PCR negative test conducted 72 hours before boarding a flight to West Bengal.

The Bengal Government has added these states to a list that already includes Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana. The negative RT-PCR tests have been made mandatory on air passengers from these states.

"The test has to be carried out 72 hours prior to the passenger's departure for Bengal. There is no provision of getting the test done on arrival. The rule also applies for flights departing from the four states mentioned and are bound for Bagdogra and Andal (both in West Bengal)," an official familiar with the development told the news agency PTI.

The poll-bound state registered its highest single-day spike of 15,889 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, pushing the infection tally to 7,43,950, a bulletin issued by the state health department said. The toll rose to 10,941 as 57 more people died due to the viral disease, it added.

Meanwhile, India's Covid-19 tally on Monday crossed 17 million as the country recorded 352,991 fresh cases of the virus. As many as 2,812 more people died due to the infection in 24 hours, pushing the overall toll to 195,123.

Airlines, travel agents and airport operators are expecting a significant decline in the passenger count as the state tightened rules on incoming passengers.

The Covid test centre recently opened at the Kolkata Airport, is also getting flooded with passengers getting themselves tested before flying.