Omicron scare: US makes it must for passengers to carry negative Covid-19 test report

New Covid-19 variant Omicron: The United States (US) has made it mandatory for all incoming passengers, including those from India, to carry a negative Covid-19 test report or proof of recovery from the disease. The step has been taken amid a a rising number of cases of the new variant in the United States.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the new protocol could come into effect from December 6, .

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“This amendment updates Covid-19 testing requirements for air passengers two years or older boarding a flight to the United States (US),” Indian government officials informed Indian-American community leaders on Saturday.

Air passengers will also be required to confirm in the form of an attestation that the information they present is true. Photo: Social media

As per the new amended order, effectively for flights departing to the US from a foreign country at or after 12:01 am EST (5:01 am GMT or 10:31 am IST) on December 6, 2021, passengers are required show a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than one day before boarding a flight.

As per information, air passengers will also be required to confirm in the form of an attestation that the information they present is true. The one-day period is one day before the flight's departure. The order uses a one-day time frame instead of 24 hours to provide more flexibility to the air passenger and aircraft operator.

On December 4, New York detected three more cases of the omicron variant, bringing the total number of the state's cases to eight. Photo: Social media

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By using a one-day window, test acceptability does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test sample was taken, the circular explained.

For example, flight AI191/(BOM-EWR) is at 01:30 AM IST on a Tuesday, passengers could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the one calendar day prior Tuesday i.e., on Monday, it said.

The new protocol comes into effect from December 6. Photo: Social media

On Saturday, New York detected three more cases of the omicron variant, bringing the total number of the state's cases to eight. Seven of the new cases have been found in New York City.

-PTC News with agency inputs