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India sets up guard against new Corona variant Omicron

Team MVR

The new COVID-19 variant Omicron is spreading genuine scare across the world. The variant, which has a high number of mutations, was first detected in South Africa last week. A WHO panel has classified it as a highly transmissible variant of concern, the same category that includes the Delta variant.

India has already stepped up its vigilance on this variant.

Here is all the India Government is doing on this new variant:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a proactive approach and a review of plans for easing of international travel curbs. He highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals and testing as per guidelines, with specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. Modi urged people to be more cautious.

  • The Civil Aviation Ministry on Friday announced the resumption of scheduled international flights to and from India from December 15 after 20 months of Corona virus-induced suspension.
  • The Union Health Ministry on Friday said the countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, and South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel have been put in the ‘at-risk’ category.
  • Meanwhile, two South African returnees to Bengaluru tested positive for COVID-19, Their samples were sent for further tests to determine the exact variant. From November 1 to 26, a total of 94 people have come from South Africa and out of them two have tested positive for COVID-19. Both the infected persons have been quarantined.
  • Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed concern over the emergence of the new Corona virus variant and asked the Government to provide vaccine security to the people of the country.

 

  • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged Modi to stop flights coming to India from those countries which are affected by the new variant.

 

  • The WHO has asked countries in southeast Asia to scale up surveillance, strengthen public health and social measures, and enhance vaccination coverage. “At no cost should we let our guard down,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO, South-East Asia Region, said, adding that countries must enhance surveillance and sequencing.

  • KARNATAKA: Guidelines given to airports that those travelling from countries at ‘high risk’ category to the state have to undergo a test despite having a test report.
  • GUJARAT: Passengers from countries categorised as ‘at risk’ have to undergo tests on arrival if they are not fully vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated will also be screened at the airport and allowed to proceed if they do not show any symptoms of the infection.
  • TAMIL NADU: The State has intensified precautionary measures at all the four international airports and appointed four health officials to personally monitor the situation. These officials would be stationed at Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli airports.
  • MADHYA PRADESH: Minister for Medical Education said genome sequencing is being carried out in a speedy manner.
  • MUMBAI: All passengers coming to the city from South Africa will be quarantined. Similar restrictions might come into force for the passengers coming from other countries affected by the new variant of the virus.
  • The Kerala Government said, authorities are vigilant but as of now there is no cause for concern in the State.