India: Kerala to test only those international arrivals with COVID-19 symptoms

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala will test only those international arrivals who have COVID-19 symptoms, according to a decision taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The meeting also accepted a recommendation of health experts to do away with RT-PCR tests on the eighth day of travel by international arrivals.

The meeting also felt that the travellers should not be charged high fee for the tests. The chief minister has asked the health department to ensure that the PCR tests be done at a reasonable price.

Kerala on Friday reported 38,684 new cases of COVID-19.

As per a bulletin issued by the health department, a total of 1,20,496 samples were tested.

There are 3,66,120 active COVID-19 cases in the state.