Srinagar: RT PCR tests of all international travellers arriving at Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar Airport will be undertaken, followed by a seven-day home quarantine for those who test negative, amid fears about the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. In light of the government's recommendation, a special meeting chaired by Kashmir Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Pandurang K Pole on Tuesday decided to make the on-the-spot RT PCR test mandatory for all international passengers arriving at Srinagar Airport, regardless of previous negative reports or vaccination status.
According to a press release from Jammu and Kashmir's Department of Information and Public Relations, if the RT PCR test comes back negative, the passenger will be placed under home quarantine for the first week and retested on the eighth day of quarantine or whenever the traveller develops symptoms during the quarantine period. "He/she will self-monitor for one more week at strict home quarantine if the RT PCR report comes back negative," the release read.
"However, if the international traveller's first test is positive, he or she will be referred to the DRDO hospital in Khunmoh, and the testing sample will be sent for whole genome sequencing to determine whether they are infected with the new COVID-19 variant of Omicron or any other strain," the release said.
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