New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has issued a fresh set of travel guidelines, as two new, highly more infectious strains of Covid- 19 have been detected in India. The new two Covid- 19 virus strains are the South African and the Brazilian strains. The new rules apply to all incoming international passengers except those from the UK, Europe and Middle East.

The ICMR has said South African strain of the virus has been detected in four people and the Brazil variant seen in one so far. Of the other highly infectious variety, the UK strain, there are 187 cases in India. Under the new rules, only passengers who test negative in RT-PCR tests 72 hours ahead of departure will be allowed to board the aircraft. The exception will be passengers who are travelling because of a death in the family.

The health ministry in a tweet said, “Attention Passengers! All incoming international travellers (except travellers coming on flights originating from UK, Europe and Middle East) should make sure that they follow the guidelines issued by @MoHFW_India”. Passengers travelling through UK, Europe and the Middle East have to compulsorily get an RT-PCR upon arrival at their own expense. This will cover passengers from South Africa and Brazil as well, since there are no direct flights from these two nations.