QR Codes On RT-PCR Reports Now Mandatory For International Travel

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QR Codes On RT-PCR Reports Now Mandatory For International Travel

Noting the surge in COVID-19 cases and forged reports, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has now mandated QR codes on negative RT-PCR reports for international travel. By Bayar Jain

#FlyWithIX : Attention Passengers Boarding International Flights From India ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Effective 22nd May 2021, passengers carrying negative RT-PCR report as per the requirement of their destination country, must ensure that the report has a QR code linking to the original report. pic.twitter.com/tOzIOWBCHI

— Air India Express (@FlyWithIX) May 14, 2021

Announced via a tweet by Air India Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian flag carrier airline Air India, international passengers are now required to carry negative RT-PCR test reports with QR codes linking to the original test results embedded into the results. Effective May 22, this new mandate is applicable for countries which require test reports upon arrival.

CNBC notes that this new travel update has been set in motion to counter forged RT-PCR reports that had seen a rise among international travellers. Moreover, this development aims to reduce physical contact while also ensuring smooth functioning.

Earlier this month, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stated that healthy domestic passengers embarking on inter-state travels would no longer need a negative RT-PCR report, according to The Mint. However, the report further advises that non-essential travel and inter-state travelling by symptomatic passengers should be avoided. This move, News18 reports, has been introduced to ease the load on the already overworked testing labs.

Moreover, many countries have currently suspended entry of travellers from India owing to the second wave of COVID-19 in the nation. This includes Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, UAE, Kuwait, Indonesia, Netherlands and Australia, among others.

Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.