The Tamil Nadu Government has announced to make the RT-PCR test with negative results mandatory for travellers from Kerala. The announcement will come into effect from August 5. The step has been taken due to considerable spike in Covid-19 cases in the neighbouring state in the past week. On Friday, Kerala logged 20,772 cases and the weekly average has been above 20,000 cases per day. Tamil Nadu is also beginning to witness a marginal spike in cases, prompting the state government to impose this requirement.
On August 1, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramaniam said, "all people entering Tamil Nadu from Kerala either by plane, road or train will be required to furnish a recent RT PCR test. Those who have had both shots of the COVID-19 vaccine and can furnish proof of the same will be exempted from having to show negative RT PCR results. The second shot should have been administered a minimum of 14 days prior to the date of entry into Tamil Nadu."
Currently, only thermal screening and checking oxygen saturation is used for travellers entering from Kerala. "Starting from August 5, Chief Minister MK Stalin has also made negative RT-PCR test results compulsory as an early pre-emptive measure", said the minister.