India will reintroduce mandatory COVID-19 tests for flyers coming from a number of major Asian nations, including China, amid fears of a fresh wave of infections hitting the world’s second-most populated country.

RT-PCR tests will be required from travelers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, effective January 1, India’s Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a Twitter post December 29. Within 72 hours before they travel, they will also have to upload their reports on India’s Air Suvidha portal, which had been discontinued in November.

India, home to 1.4 billion people, December 29 reported 268 new COVID cases, highest since December 2, according to data from the federal health ministry.

An RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for flyers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from January 1, 2023. They will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.