The Assam government on Friday announced that cured COVID-19 people travelling either by train or flight will not be subjected to fresh tests, thus becoming the first State in the country to take the decision.
“We are the first state to take the decision and this is based on scientific evidence. Passengers can produce their COVID-19 positive result certificate or discharge certificate. However, symptomatic passengers will have to undergo the tests,” Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The State government has also launched an app – visitassam.org – on which flight passengers can fill up the forms which is otherwise required to be filled at the airports. “This will make the travel convenient,” the minister said.
Also, air passengers, who test negative in rapid tests can pay Rs 2,200 to get their RT-PCR results within 24 hours. “People coming by flights had to stay in 10-day quarantine. Now they will have to stay till they get their RT-PCR results, which could take three to five days’ time. However, if anyone requires the RT-PCR results within 24 hours, they will have to pay Rs 2,200,” he added.
Sarma informed that the health department plans to carry out 1 lakh tests every day on September 28, 29 and 30. “We have already launched the Jono Jagoron Week under which ASHA workers are creating door-to-door awareness on COVID-19 prevention protocols and the need to volunteer to get tested,” he added.
Sarma said the State was currently getting 2,400 positive cases every day on an average, which is lower than the figure of 3,000 predicted by the Centre. “If we can maintain the trend, we hope that the casualties will come down in October,” he added.