As global Covid instances increase, RT-PCR tests are required for travelers from China and four other countries.
Due to the continued global increase in Covid cases, the government declared on Saturday that RT-PCR tests will be required for all international travellers travelling from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
The news follows a meeting between state ministers and the union health minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, to address the current Covid crisis and make sure that the nation is prepared to stop the virus’s spread.
In line with the sources “International arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand will be subject to an RT-PCR test requirement. Passengers from these nations will be quarantined upon arrival if they exhibit symptoms or test positive for Covid19 “Mansukh Mandaviya, minister of union health, told the media
International travellers travelling from these nations will also be required to fill out the Air Suvidha forms to certify their current state of health. In order to comprehend contact tracing during the pandemic, a self-declaration form called Air Suvidha was established as part of the Covid preventive strategy. All visitors who want to enter India must currently have it.
And he said, “For travellers travelling from these nations, the Air Suvidha portal will be used, and RT-PCR tests will be required of them. They will be quarantined once they arrive in India if their test results are positive.”
The health minister ordered the states to improve the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants in order to ensure prompt detection of any newer variants that may be circulating in the nation during a meeting that was conducted on Friday.
Additionally, he suggested increasing immunisation rates for all populations who were eligible, particularly those who were elderly or fragile. By assuring timely broadcast of factually accurate information, he also warned against the proliferation of false information.
The competent agencies have been asked by Dr. Manohar Agnani, additional health secretary, to guarantee that PSA plants are fully operational. He wrote in a letter to states and UTs, “It is important to guarantee that liquid medical oxygen (LMO) is accessible in healthcare institutions and that a continuous supply chain is in place for their replenishing. An adequate supply of oxygen cylinders is kept on hand, along with backup supplies and a reliable refilling mechanism.” (sic)
The number of coronavirus infections in India grew by 201 on Saturday, bringing the total to 4.46 crore, while the number of active cases rose to 3,397, according to the health ministry.