Assam govt discontinues mandatory Covid testing at railway stations, airports & land routes

Feb. 10: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, all state governments including the Assam government has introduced mandatory testing at railway stations, airports and bus terminus. Initially the passengers were to undergo RT-PCR test, but later they had to do Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Further, the passengers were also bound to get themselves quarantined at specific centres earmarked by the state government. However, with the passage of time, much restrictions were relaxed.

Moreover, as the process of vaccination is going on, both the state and central government has now stepped in on a large scale unlock mode. As a part of this exercise, the Government of Assam has now decided to discontinue mandatory testing of passengers at railway stations, airports and land routes from 1 March, 2021. Informing this, State Health Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the decision to discontinue mandatory testing at specific places was taken in view of the rapidly declining cases of COVID-19 and also because the process of vaccination is going on in full swing. He, however, cautioned that the people should adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour.

In view of rapidly declining cases of #COVID19 & given that vaccination is in full swing, GoA has decided to discontinue mandatory testing at rly stations, land routes & airports from March 1, 2021.

It's expected however that people would adhere to #Covid appropriate behaviour.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 10, 2021

In a tweet, the state health minister wrote, “In view of rapidly declining cases of #COVID19 & given that vaccination is in full swing, GoA has decided to discontinue mandatory testing at rly stations, land routes & airports from March 1, 2021. It’s expected however that people would adhere to #Covid appropriate behaviour.”

Till 9 February, 2021, the number of active Covid-19 cases in Assam was 333. During the day, 27 new cases were detected, whereas, 17 persons were discharged. The positivity rate in the state is 0.16 percent. The recovery rate in the state is 98.73.