Omicron threat: Passengers from 'at-risk' countries can pre-book RT-PCR tests at Hyderabad, other airports
The new system will come to effect from December 20 onwards in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad in the first phase.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 15 Dec 2021 6:29 AM GMT
Hyderabad, December 15: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) on Tuesday mandated pre-booking for RT PCR test by international passengers from 'at-risk' countries at six airports in the country- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad in the first phase.
"Air Suvidha portal would be modified to allow passengers to mandatorily pre-book the RT PCR test if they are coming from the countries 'at-risk' or have visited 'at-risk' countries in the last 14 days. Also, links to the concerned airport will be provided in the Air Suvidha platform and they will be displayed to the passengers while they fill up the self-declaration form," the ministry's order said.
The new system will come to effect from December 20 onwards.
In the wake of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on 29th November had issued updated guidelines for Covid-19 requiring all passengers coming to India from countries identified as 'at-risk' to mandatorily undergo Covid-19 testing at the airport post-arrival. This is in addition to pre-departure COVID-19 testing undertaken 72 hours before the departure.
The 12 at-risk countries include all countries in Europe and South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel.
Health Ministry's new guidelines had come into effect on December 1, 2021.
