Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 5: Omicron variant of coronavirus has created fear in the minds of international air travellers causing sudden drop in the numbers.

Though there are international flight services from gulf nations to the city, only two or three flights are arriving to the international airport in the city now under the Vande Bharat scheme of the union government.

While some of the passengers, who had booked tickets to India to partake in Christmas and New Year celebrations, have cancelled their journey, others have postponed the same. The rule of home quarantine declared by Udupi district administration is also one of the reasons for passengers of this district to postpone their journey.

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At present a random medical test is being carried out on passengers arriving at the international airport in the city from overseas countries. They must have a negative RTPCR report while boarding the flight in their respective overseas country.

At the Mangaluru International Airport two or four out of 100 passengers are randomly checked for Covid. The cost of this test has to be borne by them only.

Those who are travelling to UAE from Mangaluru have to carry a 48-hour RTPCR negative test certificate. In addition, they have to undergo a RAT test at the airport. Negative certificate is mandatory. However, passengers travelling to Qatar, Doha and Kuwait need not undergo the RAT test. Only a negative RTPCR test certificate is enough.

There are no direct flights to Mangaluru from Africa, London or the United States. They have to travel through Dubai, Mumbai or Bengaluru.