Amid Covid scare, govt makes pre-departure RT-PCR tests MANDATORY for flyers from THESE countries

Amid an unprecedented spike in new Covid-19 cases in China, the Centre on Monday made pre-departure RT-PCR tests mandatory for travellers from six countries. The order was issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare which said the test will have to be conducted within 72 hours prior to departure. "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 and reports regarding the circulation of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in these countries, it has been decided that the existing guidelines for international arrivals need to be revised and updated," the Health Ministry said.