COVID guidelines for travellers: New measures to lessen woes

GUWAHATI: The State Health Department has come out with a number of measures to make travels free from hassles as much as possible during the pandemic. Now the stage is set for reducing the ten-day home quarantine to zero days or to a matter of just three to five days.

Talking to newsmen, State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "In Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport in Guwahati, an air passenger has to choose for one of the two options. If an air traveller pays Rs 2,200 he/she will get the result of RAT or RT-PCR within 24 hours. If he/she tests negative for COVID-19, the need for his/her home quarantine doesn't arise. Even if the air traveller can't or doesn't pay the amount, he/she will get the result within 3-5 days, reducing the period of home quarantine to just 3-5 days.

"One can get details of this facility in the State government's app – visitassam.org. One can fill up all relevant forms at the airport itself with the help of one's mobile handset. This will put an end to the crowd and irritating long wait at the airport for COVID-19 tests.

"People discharged from hospitals after recovery from COVID-19 also have reasons to heave a sigh of relief. Now on they won't have to undergo any COVID-19 test in railway stations and airports if they take to travel. They can get rid of such hassles just by showing their discharge certificates. Incoming train or air passengers to the State falling under this category can also get rid of such tests just by showing their ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) discharge certificates."

The Minister made it known that so far 30 lakh COVID related tests have been conducted in the State, and a target has been set to conduct three lakh tests on September 28, 29 and 30, 2020.

A beaming Sarma also said that COVID-19 situation is stable in September when compared to August. "We've given plasma to 1,800 patients so far. If plasma is given at the early stage, the recovery of patients becomes fast," he said.

On the condition of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Sarma said, "The doctors of GMCH attending to the former Chief Minister had a video conferencing with AIIMS' Director this morning in the presence of Gaurav Gogoi and myself. According to the AIIMS' Director, so far the treatment of the former Chief Minister is right on track. Within a day or two, a doctor from AIIMS will come to the GMCH for monitor the condition of the former Chief Minister. His oxygen level is much better than what it was yesterday."

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