India Makes RT-PCR Test Mandatory For Arrivals From These 6 Countries

New Delhi: Amidst an uptick in Covid-19 cases in China and East Asian countries, India has made the RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers coming in from China, Japan and four other countries from January 1, 2023.

Passengers traveling from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travelling.

RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for flyers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from 1st January 2023. They will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 29, 2022

The tests have to be conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

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, the minister said.

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases in some countries, the government has sounded an alert, tightened Covid guidelines and asked states and Union territories to prepare for any eventuality.