Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The revised guidelines for international arrivals have exempted children below five years from compulsory RT-PCR testing before and after their arrival in India. However, if found symptomatic for Covid-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they would have to undergo testing and be treated as per laid down protocol, the guidelines said.
The new guidelines have also added Singapore to the list of countries-at-risk, which now includes ten nations. Travellers coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved Covid-19 vaccines are allowed to leave the airport if they are fully vaccinated.
These are the category A countries which comprise 96 nations. Fifteen days must have elapsed since completion of Covid-19 vaccination schedule. They shall self monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival, the guidelines said.
The health ministry further stated that the existing guidelines which were issued on February 17 with subsequent addendums for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach.
The ministry again added that in view of increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed.
“Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol,” it said.
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