In view of rising cases, the Goan government has decreed that all incoming international passengers will be tested on arrival at Goa’s airport. By Naina Atri
Regardless of country of origin, Goa has mandated that all incoming international passengers will have to take a rapid RT-PCR test. Goa’s Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane, took to Twitter on December 30, 2021, to announce the government’s updated travel regulation.
In view of the rising cases and as per the circular issued by Govt of Goa, we shall be testing all international passengers on arrival, travelling from high risk countries as well as non-high risk countries.
— VishwajitRane (@visrane) December 30, 2021
Goa amps up safety precautions amid Omicron scare
Prior to this update, only two per cent of all international incoming fliers from non-high-risk countries were being tested on arrival. But, given the ever-increasing rate of infection, especially with the current wave of the pandemic, the beloved tourist destination has decided to amp up its protocols. Thus, all arrivals, from both high-risk and non-high-risk countries will undergo testing. Further, as of now, the government has placed the price of the rapid RT-PCR test at INR 1,500, as per the Health Minister’s Twitter update. The cost of the test, however, is under review.
According to reports by NDTV, Goa has reported one case of the Omicron variant and as of January 2, 2022, the state recorded a total tally of 310 new COVID cases, Active cases doubled in number in the state in just three days, reports the Times of India. The increase in the positivity rate of the disease has been attributed to the peak tourism season, in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The government, at the same time, has decided to accelerate its vaccination programs by starting the vaccinations for 72,000 children in the age group of 15-18.
Related: India Postpones Resumption Of International Flights As Omicron Spreads To 22 Countries
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