Govt busts fake message on COVID advisory for intl passengers; Check guidelines here

Union Health Ministry on Saturday fact-checked a report which claimed that government is planning to make COVID-19 negative test report mandatory for passengers arriving from countries with a high number of cases.

" country's health minister said in an interview on Friday that India plans to make a COVID-19 negative test report mandatory for passengers arriving from countries with a high number of cases," report said.

Reacting to this report circulated on social media, Health Ministry said that information is fake and misleing. "This message is circulating on social media platforms regarding COVID-19 testing of incoming passengers to India. message is FAKE and MISLEING," Ministry tweeted.

Health Ministry's guidelines for international arrivals

According to Health Ministry's latest guidelines for international arrivals, all travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in ir country.

Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol i.e. said passenger should be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from or passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow-up treatment, according to Health Ministry.

On protocols post arrivals, government said, "rmal screening should be done in respect of all passengers by health officials present at point of entry.  passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol."

Post-arrival protocol (New guidelines on international arrivals):

• A sub-section (2% of total passengers in flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at airport on arrival.
• Such travellers on each flight shall be identified by concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). y will submit samples and shall be allowed to leave airport reafter.
• If such travellers’ samples are tested positive, ir samples should be furr sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
• y shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.

According to guidelines, all travellers should self-monitor ir health post arrival also shall report to ir nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case y have any symptoms suggestive.

"Children under 12 years of age are exempted from post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during period of self-monitoring period, y shall undergo testing and be treated as per laid down protocol,"  Health Ministry said.