Animals need Covid-19 negative certificate to enter India

India has issued directives for Covid-19 negative certificate to import animals such as cats, lions, leopards and pumas when entering the country via flights.

The ministry of finance of the country instructed customs authorities across India to allow the imported animals only after they are tested for Covid-19 at the exporting country, when they are to be imported.

The directions were issued on June 30 and are to be followed as long as India is still battling the viral infection, the directive said. “In this regard, the concerned regional officers/quarantine officers, animal quarantine and certification services (AQCS) will issue advance NOC/Final AQCS clearance for import of aforesaid animals into India after receiving negative Covid-19 test report (no more than three days old before export),” the directive said.

This directive is significant for Chennai as nine lions tested positive last month at Arignar Anna zoological park in the city and two died.

According to the World Animal Organization, animals such as tigers, lions, leopards, cats and gorillas are at high risk of being infected with the coronavirus.