Tourism Ministry requests state governments to drop compulsory RT-PCR tests for visitors with two vaccine doses

Saturday, August 14, 2021

The Union Ministry of Tourism has requested all state governments to do away with the condition of compulsory RT-PCR tests for visitors who have been jabbed with both doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

In a letter to all the states, the ministry said that the matter was discussed at a virtual meeting on August 5 with all state and union territory Tourism department principal secretaries and the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) under the chairpersonship of the Union tourism secretary.

Currently, only states like Maharashtra and Sikkim agree entrance for fully vaccinated travelers without negative RT-PCR reports.

States like West Bengal (for travelers from Mumbai, Pune and Chennai), Karnataka, Goa and Chhattisgarh still require negative RT-PCR reports, regardless of double vaccination. The tourism ministry said that dismissal of the provision would help build confidence among travelers and boost tourism. The ministry took this step following complaints of various tourism stakeholders that the provisions have seriously impacted their businesses.

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