Assam makes negative RT-PCR test report mandatory for passengers from Mumbai, Bangaluru

GUWAHATI: In view of the rising Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country, the Assam Health and Family Welfare Department have made it mandatory for air and train passengers from Karnataka and Maharashtra to carry a negative RT-PCR report.

In an order issued by the Departement, on April 3 it has stated, "All air passengers from Mumbai and Bengaluru disembarking in any airport in Assam will mandatorily carry a negative RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be verifiable using QR code or otherwise."

The order from the department's Principal Secretary said that airlines are to allow boarding only to those passengers at Mumbai and Bengaluru who are carrying the negative RT-PCR report. However, those without a satisfactory test report would have to undergo COVID-19 testing at the airport and will wait in a designated location on the airport premises at their own expense till the test results are available. 'If the test is positive, a passenger will have to shift to home isolation or a hospital, according to the treatment protocol,' the order said.

In a separate order meant for the railway passengers, the department stated, "Passengers arriving in trains originating from or transiting through Maharashtra and/or Karnataka will undergo screening for symptoms on arrival in railway stations in Assam. All symptomatic passengers will undergo COVID-19 test, as per protocol."

The order comes into force with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the Assam Government has fixed the maximum price for RT-PCR COVID19 test at laboratories at Rs 500 and Rs 700 for RT-PCR samples collected from home. Rapid antigen test will be done at Rs 250.

The Covid-19 situation in the country has been alarming for the past few weeks after it has witnessed a second wave. The daily count of Covid-19 cases crossed the critical 90,000-mark on Sunday even as the vaccination drive picked up the pace with India vaccinating all above 45 years from April 1.

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