From January 12023, travelers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand would need to submit to a Covid-19 negative test, India’s health minister announced on Thursday. Before departing, travelers from these locations would need to upload their test results to the Air Suvidha portal run by the Indian government, which was shut down last month. This was announced by minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Twitter.
The Health Ministry stated in a statement that “this is [web_stories title=”true” excerpt=”false” author=”false” date=”false” archive_link=”false” archive_link_label=”” circle_size=”150″ sharp_corners=”false” image_alignment=”left” number_of_columns=”1″ number_of_stories=”5″ order=”DESC” orderby=”post_title” view=”circles” /]being done in consideration of the evolving Covid-19 situation around the world, notably in the abovementioned nations.” The test must be taken within 72 hours of arriving in India, it was stated. In addition to the random tests conducted on 2% of all foreign travelers, the new need for a Covid-19 test would be implemented. reaching India.
The ministry has instructed the airlines to adapt their check-in procedures to reflect the aforementioned modifications and to only issue boarding tickets to foreign passengers coming from the designated high-risk nations who have completed a self-declaration form on the Air-Suvidha website.
The number of new Covid-19 cases reported in India on Thursday was 268; this was the highest number since Dec. 2.
In response to a Covid-19 increase in China after the government loosened tight zero-Covid laws, the nation has joined the US, Japan, Italy, and Taiwan in requiring Covid-19 testing of all travelers from China.
