Coronavirus scare: Govt makes RT-PCR mandatory for international passengers arriving from THESE countries

Union Health Min Dr Mandaviya said in a statement that travellers coming from China, Thailand, Japan, and others, if found symptomatic or test positive Covid-19 positive, will be quarantined.

The Indian government is in full swing regarding the Covid-19 situation in India. Clarifying the stand over international arrivals, Union Health Minister Dr Mandaviya said in a statement that travellers coming from "selected countries" will have to go through mandatory RT-PCR tests. Specifically, passengers coming from China, Thailand, Japan, S. Korea, and Hong Kong would have to follow the mandatory procedure. If found symptomatic or test positive, the passengers will be quarantined. Besides, the government will also make the filling of Air Suvidha forms mandatory for passengers from the aforementioned international destinations. The move has been made to control the spread of the virus in the nation. The forms are a self-declaration for the health status of the passengers travelling between nations.

The new regulations come after Union Minister held a meeting with state ministers to discuss the current situation of the Covid-19 virus. The government is also taking multiple measures to ensure the control of the virus.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also writes to all States/UTs to ensure a functional and regular supply of medical oxygen for Covid19 pandemic management.

It is to be noted that the Indian government has been in full swing regarding the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Earlier, Health Ministry announced that Covid-19 tests will be made mandatory for 2 percent of all international arrivals at Indian airports. The testing of all such passengers has begun today at airports in India.

According to data released today by the Union Health Ministry, 201 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in India in the last day, bringing the total number of cases to 4.46 crore, though the number of active cases has decreased to 3,397. (December 24). Kerala has reconciled one death out of 5,30,691 deaths. Yesterday, approximately 3,380 active cases were reported.