"We have also started the random RT-PCR sampling among passengers arriving at International airports in the country. We are committed to tackling the pandemic and are taking appropriate steps," Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in his statement in the Lok Sabha
As per the new guidelines, mandatory pre-boarding negative RTPCR test and vaccination certificates are exempted for Indian Nationals, and so is the uploading of documents before departure on Air-Suvidha Portal, sources in the ministry said.
While Covishield and Covaxin may not be accepted in many countries, should they not pass muster within India? Yet even fully vaccinated and healthy citizens need a negative RT-PCR report to travel to several states including West Bengal and Punjab.
As of Tuesday, India has a total of 2506 molecular testing laboratories including RTPCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT and other platforms.
While lauding the scientific community for developing vaccines at such short notice, the CM said we need to involve the private sector in the vaccination programme.
