Imphal: The Health Department of the Government of Manipur has revised COVID-19 related airport guidelines. The incoming passengers, who reach Manipur by flights, will no more be tested for COVID from December 18. The COVID-19 testing for all the incoming passengers at the Imphal airport will be discontinued till further notifications. The information was shared by V.Vumlunmang, the Principal Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare department Manipur government.
The decision is taken as the percentage of air passengers testing positive for the novel coronavirus has dropped below to about 1 per cent, and targeted testing is not essential when the positivity rate is below 2 per cent. The notice said, "Whereas, the percentage of air passengers testing positive for COVID-19 has reduced to about 1 %, and targeted testing is not considered essential when the positivity rate is below 2%."
The government, therefore, discontinued the testing the air passengers at the Imphal Airport from December 18. "Therefore, testing of the incoming air passengers at the Imphal Airport is being discontinued with effect from 18-12-2020," said the official notification.
However, it is to be mentioned that the thermal screening of the passengers arriving at the Imphal Airport will be made more vigorous, as the authorities will increase the number of screening counters from 1 to 4. The testing for COVID-19 will be done for any symptomatic person. Any person, who had a history of contact with COVID positive person will be tested too.
The notification said, "However, the thermal screening surveillance will be made more vigorous by increasing the number of Screening Counters in Imphal Airport from 1 to 4. COVID testing will be done for any symptomatic person. Further, any traveller with history of contact with COVID positive person will be tested."
The decisions were taken in a meeting of COVID Task Force, which was held on December 14.
Here is the official notification here. Check here...