India revises Covid guidelines, makes RT-PCR must for flyers transiting through China, 5 other countries

NEW DELHI: Amid the rise in coronavirus cases in some countries, a negative RT-PCR test report will now be mandatory for passengers even transiting through China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, irrespective of their originating countries, before landing at any Indian airport, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

In a letter to the states, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that in the context of the evolving trajectory of Covid-19 cases in some countries, especially China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan, the guidelines were revised and came into effect from January 1.

A few days ago, a negative Covid report from the RT-PCR test was made mandatory for passengers arriving in India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from the first day of 2023.

As per the guidelines, the test must be conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India and the negative report from the RT-PCR test has to be uploaded on the Air Suvidha portal before their departure.

The move comes amidst an uptick in Covid-19 cases in China and East Asian countries.

This requirement is in addition to the random two per cent tests of all international passengers in all incoming international flights on their arrival in India, irrespective of their port of departure.