No Covid-19 test for children under 5 travelling to India: Health Ministry

Coronavirus India update: Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre-and-post-arrival Covid-19 testings upon arrival in India, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. However, if they are found to be symptomatic for Covid-19 on arrival or during the home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treatment as per protocols. Also Read | Air pollution: Delhi allows work from home for govt staff, shuts schools for a week "Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre-and post-arrival testings. However, if found symptomatic for Covid-19 on arrival or during the home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol," the Health Ministry guidelines on November 11. Also Read | Coronavirus update: India reports 11,850 fresh Covid-19 cases, 555 deaths in last 24 hours The Health Ministry said that the guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed in view of increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic. "The global trajectory of Covid-19 pandemic continues to decline with certain regional variations. The need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) must still remain in focus," the guideline said. This standard operating procedure (SOP) shall be valid from November 12 (00.00 hours IST) till further orders, the Ministry stated. The revised guidelines also state that 15 days must have elapsed since the completion of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule. On arrival, de-boarding should be done, ensuring physical distancing and thermal screening of all passengers is carried out by the health officials present at the airport. -PTC News