Covid-19 latest update: Govt makes Air Suvidha form mandatory for international passengers arriving from THESE countries

Union Health Minister Dr Mandaviya has announced that filling out the Air Suvidha form will be mandatory for international arrivals coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong & Thailand. At the same time, the Union Minister also made RT-PCR tests mandatory for all passengers arriving from the aforementioned countries. If found positive or symptomatic, the passengers will be quarantined. The move has been made considering the spike in cases of the virus in countries. Air Suvidha forms are self-declaration of the health of passengers travelling to India from the said international destinations. These forms have been reintroduced to keep a check on the passengers arriving from the countries most affected by the virus.

#WATCH | Air Suvidha portal to be implemented for passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong & Thailand, RT-PCR to be made mandatory for them. After arriving in India, if they test positive, they'll be quarantined: Union Health Min Dr Mandaviya pic.twitter.com/ST7ypqmy1V

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2022

The Indian government has been very active in monitoring international travellers. Earlier, the Ministry of Health declared that 2 percent of passengers travelling on international routes will be subjected to random sampling tests at the airport from today. Adhering to the guidelines, Mumbai International Airport, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, and Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport started the random sampling.

Also read: Covid-19 BF.7 scare: RTPCR test mandatory for international passengers arriving from THESE countries

In India, there have been 201 new cases of the coronavirus reported in the last day, bringing the total number of cases to 4.46 crore, although the number of active cases has reduced to 3,397, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry today (December 24). 5,30,691 people have died, with Kerala reconciling one death. Around 3,380 active cases were reported yesterday. 

Meanwhile, according to health officials, Japan recorded 371 deaths from the virus on Friday, the highest single-day tally since the outbreak began in early 2020. Hence, the passengers coming from the nation will be tested upon arrival in India.