Manipur government has announced that all the air passengers coming from Maharashtra, Kerela, Chhatisgrah, MP, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Tamil Nadu will be tested with RT-PCR on arrival at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal with immediate effect.
The announcement was notified in an order issued by Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur. The decision has been prompted by the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the above mentioned states.
The official order further stated that air passengers will be allowed to leave the airport after the collection of samples and are instructed for home/self isolation until the test report are communicated by the officials.
Manipur had earlier discontinued covid testing at airports from December 18 last year as the number of covid-19 cases were declining in the state. The government also decided to close the six Covid centers in the state for the same reason. However earlier in March the state government issued a notification mandating covid testing for passengers coming from eight states of the country.
The second wave of Covid-19 in 2021, has effected the country way more than the first wave in 2020 with almost double the per day positive cases of last year.
(Feature image source: Time Magazine)
