India: Covid RT-PCR test mandatory for travellers from 6 destinations starting January 1

Starting January 1, 2023, negative RT-PCR test reports will be mandatory for passengers who are travelling to India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand, according to reports quoting Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday.

On Wednesday, health ministry sources said filling out Air Suvidha forms is also likely to be mandatory for these travellers from next week.

The next 40 days will be crucial as India may see a surge in Covid cases in mid-January, the sources said, adding that the assessment was made after analysing the previous trends of the Covid surge in the country.

Amid the explosion in Covid cases in some destinations, the operational readiness of healthcare facilities is under review in all states and Union Territories in anticipation of another wave. Hospitals across the country on Tuesday (December 27) conducted mock drills to assess their pandemic preparedness.

At least 39 international fliers tested positive for Covid between December 24 and 26. Taking due cognisance of the global surge in cases, including China, the government had directed random testing of international passengers.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya personally oversaw a mock dirll at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital.

"To make sure that there is no Covid surge in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked us to be careful. The government is also making necessary preparations in anticipation of a rise in Covid infections. Today, mock drills are being conducted across Covid hospitals in the country to make sure people receive proper treatment in the eent of a rise in cases," Mandaviya told reporters at Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday.

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