No Covid tests for kids

Children below the age of five years have been exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing for Covid-19 in India

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

According to the revised guidelines for international arrivals released on November 11, children below the age of five years have been exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing for Covid-19 in India. However, if they are found symptomatic for coronavirus infections on arrival or during home quarantine period, they would have to undergo testing and be treated according to laid down protocol, the guidelines said. The guidelines also stated the need to monitor the continuously changing nature of the virus and that the SARSCoV-2 variants were of concern.

The existing guidelines (issued on February 17 with subsequent addendums) for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach. With the increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India were reviewed, the health ministry said.

If partially or unvaccinated, the travellers need to undertake measures which includes submission of sample for post-arrival Covid-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further self-monitor of their health for next seven days.

“Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for Covid-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol,” it said.

This standard operating procedure shall be valid from November 12 (00.00 Hrs  IST) till further orders, the ministry stated. Also, 15 days must have elapsed since completion of Covid-19 vaccination schedule.

According to the existing guidelines, if travellers are fully vaccinated and coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved Covid-19 vaccines, they shall be allowed to leave the airport and need not undergo home quarantine. They shall self-monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.

If partially or unvaccinated, the travellers need to undertake measures which includes submission of sample for post-arrival Covid-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further self-monitor of their health for next seven days. “15 days must have elapsed since completion of Covid-19 vaccination schedule,” the guidelines said.

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