RT-PCR test mandatory for all passengers arriving at Port Blair airport from April 7

In view of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, District Administration of South Andaman has decided to conduct random Rapid Antigen Test on incoming passengers at VSI Airport in Port Blair from tomorrow. The Random Rapid Antigen Test is not chargeable.

The decision has also been driven to tackle allegations of fake RTPCR negative test reports by passengers arriving at Port Blair airport from the mainland. Few months back the flight operations between Port Blair and Mainland were enhanced to facilitate the passengers. Thousands of passengers land at Port Blair airport on every single



day.

The negative RTPCR report had been made mandatory for arrival at the airport in December last year. Prior to that RAT test of all incoming passengers was used to be conducted. On April 4th a total of 1432 passengers presented a negative RTPCR report at the airport. Passengers landed in Port Blair were found positive in testing during their inter-islands movement.

A spike is being seen in the number of Corona cases in the islands. 33 new cases have been reported since April 1st while 25 patients recovered. 29 cases were reported on 30th March. Now the active caseload is 53.