The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its latest advisory for COVID-19 testing during the second wave of the pandemic recommends removing the mandatory RT-PCR testing for interstate travelers.
The recommendation of ICMR has been welcomed by travel and tourism professionals and travelers across the country.
the ICMR in its latest advisory recommended that “The need for RT-PCR test in healthy individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to reduce the load on laboratories.”
All asymptomatic domestic travelers must follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviors, it further added.
𝐈𝐂𝐌𝐑 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜. @MoHFW_INDIA @PIB_India @COVIDNewsByMIB @MIB_India @ pic.twitter.com/kkY2hacpWW
— ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) May 4, 2021
However, the response of the state governments to the recommendation is awaited.
The RT-PCR tests are considered more reliable than the rapid antigen tests and until now, people traveling in the country were required to produce negative RT-PCR reports to cross the borders.
As of now, a total of 24 states are required a negative RT-PCR tests report for visitors, especially those who are arriving by air.
The ICMR also advised skipping the RT-PCR test if a Covid-19 patient has completed 10 days of quarantine and did not report fever in the last three days.
“RT PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RAT or RT PCR,” it also said.
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