ICMR issues new guidelines for COVID-19 tests

However, the people who are not required to get tested are:

• Asymptomatic individuals in community settings
• Contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 unless identified as high risk based on age or comorbidities
• Patients who stand discharged as per home isolation guidelines
• Patients being discharged from a COVID-19 facility as per revised discharge policy
• Individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel

It stated that testing could be undertaken either through rRT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT, CRISPR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Molecular Testing Systems or through Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). However, it noted that a home or self-test / rapid antigen testing and molecular test (which are rRT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT, CRISPR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Molecular Testing Systems, Newer SARS-CoV-2 Omicron or variant detection rRTPCR assays) could be confirmatory which would require any repeat testing. And symptomatic individuals testing negative are required to undertake RTPCR test as detailed in the algorithm. 

It also directed all the RTPCR and RAT tests to be uploaded on the ICMR portal. It further states that the vaccination status of those testing for Covid-19 though any method should be entered into the Sample Referral Form (SRF) in the RTPCR app. 

It states, "genome sequencing is to be performed only in a subset of positive samples as per recommendations of INSACOG", reasoning that the sequencing is conducted for surveillance purposes. 

Citing quicker detection of newer variants, it notes, "The newer SARS-CoV-2 Omicron or variant detection rRTPCR assays are recommended to be used in areas with limited genomic surveillance capacity for quick detection of emergence of newer variants in such areas."

The guidelines issued by the ICMR could be accessed here.