RT-PCR Test Mandatory For Travellers From China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong & Thailand

With Covid-19 cases on the rise worldwide due to the BF-7 variant, the Indian Health Ministry announced on Saturday that international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand will be required to present RT-PCR test results.

In addition, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that any passengers from these countries who exhibit symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 will be quarantined.

“RT-PCR test to be mandatory for international arrivals from China, Japan, S. Korea, Hong Kong & Thailand. On arrival, if any passenger from these countries is found symptomatic or tests positive for Covid19, then he/she will be put under quarantine,” said Union Health Minister Dr Mandaviya

RT-PCR test to be mandatory for international arrivals from China, Japan, S. Korea, Hong Kong & Thailand. On arrival, if any passenger from these countries is found symptomatic or tests positive for Covid19, then he/she will be put under quarantine: Union Health Min Dr Mandaviya pic.twitter.com/QOXNnu0LRV

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— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2022

Aside from that, international passengers arriving from these countries will be required to fill out an Air Suvidha form to declare their current health status.

It is worth noting that India recently India scraped the requirement of filling out the Air Suvidha form, which asked questions about recent travel, vaccination, current health, and other topics.

New Guidelines For International Arrivals

In response to the latest outbreak, India updated its guidelines on Thursday, which include protocols that must be followed by international travellers as well as points of entry (airports, seaports, and land borders) and will be in effect beginning December 24, 2022.

This includes random testing of international arrivals and precautionary measures to be taken (preferably mask use and physical distancing) in flights/travel and at all points of entry.