RT-PCR test mandatory for those entering Tamil Nadu from Kerala

The health minister said the government has taken steps to conduct RT-PCR tests at the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border

As Covid-19 cases in Kerala continue to increase exponentially, the Tamil Nadu government has made it mandatory to carry RT-PCR test reports from August 5 for those coming from the neighbouring state.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian said those who come by road from Kerala will be asked to show their RT-PCR test report as they enter Tamil Nadu. If those coming do not have RT-PCR reports, they should produce their full vaccination certificate. He said the same will apply to those who come from Kerala via air.

Also read: Vaccinated? Travellers from Kerala, Maharashtra still need RT-PCR test report to enter Karnataka

The minister said the government has taken steps to conduct RT-PCR tests at the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The step was necessary with Kerala continuing to report an exponential increase in the number of daily positive cases.

The decision by the Tamil Nadu government comes close on the heels of Karnataka making the RT-PCR test mandatory for those coming from Kerala. Subramanian said the state government is in the process of introducing a new technology to process Covid-19 samples at the airport. “We will introduce the system in the next few days which will ensure the reports come in 13 minutes,” he said.