IMPHAL, Dec 18 - The Manipur Health Department has decided to discontinue COVID-19 testing of incoming air passengers at the Imphal International Airport with effect from Friday, officials said.
�However, thermal screening will be made more vigorous by increasing the number of screening counters from one to four at the airport,� stated Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) V Vumlunmang in an order on Thursday.
�COVID testing will be done for symptomatic persons. Further, any traveller with history of contact with COVID-positive person will be tested,� it added.
The State COVID-19 task force took a decision in this regard during a meeting on December 14, the order said, adding that the percentage of air passengers testing positive for COVID-19 has reduced to about 1 per cent and targeted testing is not considered essential when the positivity rate is below 2 per cent.
With the active cases declining in the State since the last couple of days, the State Government has decided to close down six COVID care centres in five districts.
These centres include the UNACCO and RD Wing in Imphal West district, Bal Bhavan in Imphal East district, Lamding Higher Secondary School in Thoubal district, Model Higher Secondary School in Noney district and Sadbhavna Mandap in Churachandpur district.
