RDT system for international flight passengers: Plan to change the COVID-19 testing system discussed

A coordination meeting on the plans to change into an RDT system for international flight passengers was held on Thursday.

Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win presided over the meeting and discussed that the infection rate of COVID-19 has declined in most regional countries, including Myanmar.

Specific activities are also prioritized systematically to ease COVID-19 rules and regulations as the COVID-19 vaccine coverage becomes high.

The government also arranged to ensure the reopening of international flights and systematic COVID-19 health rules for the tourist and Myanmar citizen arrivals to develop the country’s global tourism industry.

He also talked about the declining positive cases among the passengers in commercial flights and relief flights, challenges in the resumption of commercial aviation, and the COVID19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) to save time and money for flight passengers.

The attendees later discussed proper services for passengers, plans to change into RDT (draft) and current challenges during the resumption of international flights, visas, health insurance, collection of Myanmar kyats for RDT test, preparations to avoid mass gatherings in RDT test section at the airport, taking swab samples, quality RDT test kits and other matters.

The Union minister and officials later inspected the preparations to conduct COVID-19 tests using RDT on the passengers of regular international flights at Yangon International Airport.

The Union Minister instructed officials to systematically collect data from passengers, swab samples, opening of more swab counters, establish an exchange counter, welfare of airport staff and disease control activities.