Assam COVID update: Fully vaccinated travellers to be exempted from mandatory COVID testing

The state government of Assam has recently announced updated travel rules. As per the new rules, those who are fully-vaccinated and coming to the state with COVID-19 negative report, will be exempted from undergoing mandatory tests for the virus on arrival in the state.

As per the notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, the order comes into immediate effect; however, symptomatic passengers will not be exempted from the testing rules.
As per the notification, all the fully-vaccinated travellers visiting the state, will be exempted from mandatory testing on arrival at railway stations, airports, border points, etc.

However, they must carry a negative COVID test report that has been taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Assam.
Reports also state that all symptomatic travellers arriving in the state will be required to undergo mandatory RT-PCR testing at their own cost on arrival at railway stations, airports etc.

The notification further states that the latest rule comes in the wake of decreasing number of new COVID-19 positive cases in the country as well as in the state, along with the growing number of fully vaccinated people.

Continuous screening of all incoming passengers at railway stations and airports is still being conducted in the state, which has been in place since the first wave of COVID-19 last year.

Referring to the updated travel rules, Health and Family Welfare Minister Keshab Mahanta stated that they have been getting requests regarding COVID-19 testing at airports, after which they decided to do away with the mandatory test for fully vaccinated travellers.