Amid a spurt in Covid-19 cases in different parts of the world, the Indian government has decided to make a negative Covid report must for passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from January 1st.
Last week, authorities also started random testing of two per cent of passengers arriving on each international flight.
In a statement released by IATA, Philip Goh, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific says, “India’s decision to reintroduce Covid-19 testing is disappointing and a step backwards. We are in a different situation from when Covid-19 started about three years ago. Medical treatments are available. Vaccination levels are high. Governments need to respond based on science and facts.”
“It is disappointing that governments have not learned this lesson and are reimposing restrictions. Testing requirements have a negative impact on travel as people tend to avoid being tested,” added Goh.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a grouping of nearly 290 airlines, including various Indian carriers.
According to him, the experience from the last three years has shown that travel restrictions or testing requirements are ineffective.
