Guwahati: The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government decided to exempt fully vaccinated incoming people carrying the latest COVID-19 negative report from mandatory testing for the virus on arrival in the state.

According to the notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, the order will come into immediate effect, but the exemption will not be applicable for symptomatic passengers. All incoming passengers who have been vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be exempted from mandatory testing on arrival at airports, railway stations, road border points, etc, it said.

Covid-19 protocols for travellers in Assam

The passengers must possess a negative COVID test report taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Assam, it added. However, passengers who are symptomatic shall have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR testing at their own cost on arrival at airports, railway stations, etc. in Assam,” the notification. The exemption has been given in view of decreasing the number of new COVID-19 positive cases in the country as well as the state and growing number of fully vaccinated people, it added. Also Read – Coronavirus Update: 37 Districts Report Spike In Covid Cases; Over 1 Lakh Active Cases in Kerala

Fully vaccinated travellers permitted

Addressing a press conference, Health and Family Welfare Minister Keshab Mahanta said there have been some requests regarding COVID-19 testing at airports and it was decided to do away with the mandatory test for fully vaccinated travellers. The Assam government had on June 25 this year also issued an order exempting air and train passengers from mandatory testing if they were fully vaccinated. Also Read – Assam Lockdown Update: State Revises Night Curfew Timings From Tuesday, Check Details

But the order was withdrawn on July 15 in view of detection of COVID-19 cases among fully vaccinated people and testing was made compulsory once again. Continuous screening of all incoming passengers at airports and railway stations is being conducted in the state since the first wave of COVID-19 last year.