Negative RT-PCR report mandatory in Ladakh; rapid antigen test upon arrival

In a recent development, the Ladakh government has made it mandatory for people wanting to visit Ladakh to carry their negative RT-PCR test reports. However, the RT-PCR test result won’t be enough, as visitors will have to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival.

The Ladakh Tourism authorities took to Twitter and said:
“The change in guidelines isn’t expected to cause any inconvenience to passengers. Those travelling by road or via air must, in addition to a negative COVID-19 test report, undergo rapid antigen testing on arrival in the Union Territory”

Mandatory RAT test for tourists on arrival in Leh irrespective of negative RT-PCR report.#Ladakh #Kargil #Leh #discoveryourself @timesofindia @oltraveller @htTweets @timestravel @ddnewsladakh @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts @PBLadakh @DC_Leh_Official @DvCom_Secretary pic.twitter.com/tvhMcat8fS

— Ladakh Tourism (@utladakhtourism) May 21, 2021

Here are a certain rules you must know before:

1) Upon arrival in Ladakh, you will be sent to a nearby quarantine centre.
2) Negative RT-PCR test report (not more than 96 hours old) is mandatory.
3) Upon arrival, you will have to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test.
4) If a person tests positive, he/she will be isolated in a nearby quarantine centre.

In January 2021, Pangong Tso in Ladakh was reopened for tourists six months after the deadly Galwan clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. The lake was said to be out of boundaries after the clashes in June 2020. Now, the Ladakh Tourism Department will issue inner line permits for tourists.

At present, Ladakh has recorded 17407 COVID-19 positive cases and 178 deaths.