Mandatory RT-PCR Test, 14-Day Quarantine: How Airports Across Country Preparing to fight the Omnicron Variant| Key Points

Just before things started to normalize and everything was going back to pre-COVID levels, the Omnicron variant has bought the COVID scare back. With very little information about the variant, all the countries are vigilant to keep it away. In India, new guidelines were issued on Wednesday where a negative RT-PCR report is required even for fully vaccinated passengers for domestic flights and international flights in some states.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said that only 2% of the passengers are coming from non-at-risk countries, they may be asked for random sampling and will be allowed to leave the airport after giving the samples.

How are the different airports prepping for this variant?

Mumbai: the BMC announced on Wednesday that all domestic passengers coming to Mumbai will have to show a negative RT – PCR report which is not older than 72 hours. In a circular, the BMC asked the airport operator to pass this information to all the domestic airlines. This directive came after 6 passengers coming from high-risk countries were tested COVID positive in Maharashtra. The BMC added that the test might be exempted in exceptional cases like family distress and testing must be allowed at the Mumbai airport. Pune airport will also follow similar guidelines.

Bhopal: Passengers travelling to Bhopal have to undergo an RT-PCR test before they enter the city if they don’t have a negative RT-PCR report beforehand. The state government also said that the RT-PCR reports will also be checked in bus stands, railway stations randomly.

Kerala: The Kerala government said that the international passengers coming from high-risk countries will have to go for 14 days quarantine and if they are found positive, they will be immediately shifted to a state government hospital/treatment centre.

Delhi: the rules in Delhi airport remain the same, International passengers coming from at-risk countries will have to go for an RT-PCR test. The test will cost Rs 1,700 which will include the test results, food and water during the stay of the passenger.

Karnataka: Karnataka is also following the same guidelines for international passengers going for an RT-PCR test. However, nothing was mentioned for domestic passengers.

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