Assam issues fresh SOP for incoming air and train passengers 

Assam Health ministerDr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said any person who has undergone a RT-PCR COVID-19 test within a period of 72 hours prior to arrival in Assam and his or her test result is negative, is not required to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 test or quarantine on arrival in the state. 

“This SOP will beapplicable for both air and train passengers. Any person who travels to anylocation outside of Assam and returns back to the state within 24 hours ofdeparture, need not undergo the mandatory COVID-19 test or quarantine. Thechildren below 0 years of age arriving in Assam are exempted from undergoing mandatory COVID-19 test, subject to the condition that the child is asymptomatic.However, the parent or guardian may opt to get his or her ward tested for COVID-19at the designated testing centre, on voluntary basis,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said. 

The Assam Healthminister also said that the foreign dignitary, diplomats belong to any embassy or diplomatic mission in India on an official visit to Assam, officials of multilateral funding agencies like World Bank, ADB, JICA etc, on an official visit to the state, officials of investigation, intelligence agencies such as NIA, CBI, ED, Intelligence Bureau etc, on official, covert visit to the state,officials of Income Tax department on official visit to the state, are exempted from the COVID-19 testing and quarantine, subject to the compliance with COVID-19 hygiene and social distancing norms during the period of staying in Assam.