Bengal government makes RT-PCR tests compulsory for flyers from 9 countries
From Wednesday, passengers from nine countries—New Zealand, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, China, Botswana, South Africa, United Kingdom and Brazil—are being required to take RT-PCR tests once they land at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, even if they are fully vaccinated or carry a COVID-19-negative certificate.
The United Kingdom and Brazil were already in the list. The other seven have now been added.
The decision was taken by the Bengal government on the recommendation of an expert committee it had set up, which gave the advice in the light of reports of new variants of the novel coronavirus being detected in various parts of the world.
Regarding cost, a paid test is available at the airport while those wanting a free test are being taken to the government facility of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Rajarhat, near the airport.
After getting the test done, passengers from these nine countries are allowed to go to a hotel or their home, where they are required to stay in quarantine until they receive their RT-PCR report. In case anybody tests positive, they will be admitted (also by the state government) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kolkata (formally called Infectious Diseases and Beliaghata General (ID & BG) Hospital)).
