NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced that RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand in the backdrop of the Covid threat. He also said that the Air Suvidha form filling to declare the current health status will also be made compulsory for international passengers arriving from these Asian countries. Passengers who show symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 will be quarantined.

The Union Minister said that the Centre and States need to work in "tandem" and in a "collaborative spirit" as was done during the previous surges. India reported 201 new cases of Covid on Saturday. The number of active cases in the country is 3,397.

Ensure oxygen availability

In view of the spread of Covid-19, the Union Health Ministry has directed the states to ensure the availability of medical oxygen in the country. The ministry urged states and union territories to ensure the availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen, adequate inventory of cylinders and functional life support equipment such as ventilators at hospitals to face any challenge.