Second wave of COVID-19: Air travellers to undergo mandatory testing in all Assam airports upon arrival

With sudden and rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam, the State Government has ordered COVID-19 testing of air travellers upon arrival in any airports in Assam.

The air travellers will have to undertake both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival in any airport in Assam.

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However, transit passengers need not undertake the COVID-19 testing.

The development has been confirmed by Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“…now all air passengers arriving in any air ports of Assam will have to mandatorily undergo Covid-19 test (both RAT and RT-PCR) excluding the transit passengers,” informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

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As per the fresh notification issued by the Assam Health Department, no fee will be charged from the passengers for the Rapid Antigen Test.

However, the RT-PCR test will cost around Rs 500, which is the present maximum rate for the test.

“If the RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) is positive, the passengers will have to undergo home isolation or get admitted in private hospital or Government Health institution, depending upon his/her medical condition,” the Assam Health Department’s fresh notification read.

“If the RAT is negative, the passenger will have to undergo RT-PCR test at the airport on payment basis as per the approved rate (present maximum rate is Rs 500).

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“After the RT-PCR sample is collected, the passenger will be allowed to leave the airport premises subject to the condition that he/she will remain in quarantine till the RT-PCR test results are declared. Hand stamping of the passengers after RT-PCR sample collection is done,” the notification further read.

“If the RT-PCR test is positive, the passenger will have to undergo home isolation or get admitted to in a private hospital or Government Health institution, depending upon his/her medical condition,” the notification read.