Centre makes RTPCR test mandatory for arrivals from China, 4 more countries

New Delhi, December 24

The government has made RTPCR, the test for covid-19, mandatory for all arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand in the wake of a surge in cases in these countries.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made the statement as India began random testing of 2 per cent of all international arrivals from 10am on Saturday.

RTPCR has a higher accuracy than rapid antigen tests, with the government mandate to states also being ensuring 70 per cent RTPCR and the rest antigen-based testing for accuracy.

India’s challenge is to track any potential new variant.