Covid-19: RT-PCR tests mandatory for international fliers travelling to India from 6 countries

New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): All international passengers traveling from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand to India will have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR tests before departure and upload a report on the Air Suvidha portal from January 1, 2023, said Union Health Ministry sources on Thursday.

This is in addition to the random 2 percent tests of all international passengers on their arrival in India irrespective of the port of departure, stated the Union Health Ministry.

It said that the test should have been conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India.

This is being done in view of the evolving COVID-19 situation worldwide, particularly in the aforesaid countries.

Earlier on Wednesday, according to sources in the Union Health Ministry, the next 40 days will be crucial as India may see a surge in Covid cases in mid-January.