Goa Covid Update: Goa declares COVID tests for all international travelers upon arrival

Updated: 02-01-2022

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced in a tweet that all international travelers, even those from countries that are not considered high-risk, will be tested. Reports of rising Coronavirus infections from multiple states in the country coincide with the enactment of the new rule.

The tweet by the Minister read, “In view of the rising cases and as per the circular issued by Govt of Goa, we shall be testing all international passengers on arrival, travelling from high-risk countries as well as non-high-risk countries.”

Earlier, the Goa government tested only 2 percent of foreign visitors from non-high-risk countries, but now the state government has decided to test all international travelers due to public interest. The cost of rapid RT-PCR tests has been fixed at INR 1500.

Currently, only one case of the Omicron virus has been reported in Goa.

There are currently 170 new cases in Goa, as the passivity rate touched 5.25 percent. Notably, the positivity rate on Tuesday was 4.03 percent. The state of Goa is currently in a jovial mood, with many year-end parties being hosted.

Party-goers are now required to show a vaccination certificate or COVID-19 test report in order to enter. All entertainment establishments, such as pubs and restaurants, are operating at half capacity.