SWAB samples of passengers travelling from Bahrain to Kerala will be tested for coronavirus (Covid-19) mutations, it has been announced.
It is part of new mandatory quarantine regulations outlined yesterday for international travellers announced by Health Minister Veena George, as the South Indian state records a high number of daily infections.
Under the revised travel protocols, in line with country’s Union Health Ministry directives, passengers from the Middle East travelling to Kerala will have to undergo self-monitoring for 14 days if their RT-PCR tests are negative.
Ms George
“It is mandatory for travellers from other countries to undergo self-monitoring for 14 days if their RT-PCR tests are negative,” local media reported citing the minister. “Samples of passengers from countries such as the UK, New Zealand, China, Botswana, South Africa, European nations, Brazil, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe will be sent for virus mutation tests.”
Bahrain is home to almost 500,000 Indians, with the majority coming from Kerala.
Ms George also explained that international travellers to Kerala must undergo three RT-PCR tests, the first before they leave for the state, the second at the airport they arrive at, and the third eight days after arriving.
Meanwhile, all UK visitors must undergo 10-day quarantine at their home address or destination address, while a seven-day quarantine will be required for South African, Brazilian, and European passengers. Regardless of the status of their vaccinations, each international traveller arriving at the state’s airports, will have to undergo an RT-PCR test.
On Sunday, Kerala recorded 12,297 new Covid-19 cases and 74 deaths, pushing the toll to 25,377 and the caseload to 47,20,233.
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