India to require Covid test for arrivals from China, 4 other Asian nations

Health Minister Mandaviya asks pharma firms to ensure adequate stock of Covid-19 drugs

People arriving in India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand will have to show a negative Covid-19 test from Sunday, said Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Mandaviya, in a virtual meeting on Thursday, asked pharma companies to ensure adequate stocks of all drugs, including those for Covid-19. Companies will monitor global supply chains, production and availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulations needed for medicines to manage Covid-19.

An industry official said the meeting reviewed India’s preparedness if demand surges for Covid-19 essentials. “The industry also requested that we should not ban exports of some key drugs like we