The Assam government on Friday announced that air passengers have to mandatorily take the RT-PCR, or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, test for the coronavirus, in addition to the rapid antigen tests, Hindustan Times reported. State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this was being done to reduce quarantine period.
Sarma introduced “tatkal” or quick RT-PCR test results within 24 hours and several other guidelines for travel amid the coronavirus crisis. “At present we conduct a rapid antigen test of air passengers at the airport on their arrival and if found negative, ask them to spend 10 days in home quarantine,” Sarma told reporters in Guwahati. From now, we will conduct both RAT and RT-PCR tests of all passengers on arrival.”
He said passengers can get RT-PCR test results within 24 hours if they pay Rs 2,200, adding that if it is negative…