Assam Govt to Continue with Mandatory COVID-19 Testing at Airports & Railway Stations

GUWAHATI: In view of rapidly increasing cases of COVID-19 cases in a few states and traces of new strain discovered in some locations in India, the state of Assam has decided to continue mandatory testing at railway stations, land routes and airports.

Meanwhile, Assam's Special DGP Law and Order, GP Singh in a tweet wrote, "Fresh orders regarding COVID-19 testing protocols for Incoming passengers at Airports and Railway Stations in Assam. The testing shall continue as in the past and is not being discontinued."

It is to be mentioned that earlier, the state government has decided to discontinue mandatory testing at railway stations, land routes and airports effective from March 1, 2021.

In a Tweet, the Assam State Health Minister Himanata Biswa Sarma wrote, "In view of rapidly declining cases of #COVID19 & given that vaccination is in full swing, GoA has decided to discontinue mandatory testing at rly stations, land routes & airports from March 1, 2021. It's expected however that people would adhere to #Covid appropriate behaviour."

However, making things easy for travellers passengers coming to Assam via flights had to undergo a COVID test at the Guwahati airport itself.

Meanwhile, anyone travelling within the state and between Northeastern states would no longer need to go for mandatory COVID testing.

Earlier in October 2020, the government of Assam has already eased COVID-19 rules for the flight passengers. It said that the passengers coming in from outside Assam do not have to go for a mandatory test if they had already done a test in their place of origin, 72 hours before their travelling.

However, they will have to carry important documents along with them. Sarma also mentioned that children below 10 years of age do not have to go for mandatory testing. It solely depends upon their parents if they want their child to undergo the test or not.

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