Step up testing, monitor hotspots: Centre to states

As Omicron scare grips the world, government rushes to put preventive measures in place across the country

In view of the possible threat that the new COVID-19 variant can pose to the nation, the Centre has asked all states and UTs to focus on intensive containment, active surveillance, enhanced testing, monitoring of hotspots, increased coverage of vaccination and augmentation of health infrastructure. The situation has also forced the government to rethink its decision on resuming scheduled international flights from December 15.

Listing a series of measures that states and UTs should undertake, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan also stressed rigorous surveillance of international passengers, ensuring prompt dispatch of samples for genome sequencing and strict enforcement of COVID-appropriate behaviour to effectively manage this Variant of Concern (VoC).

The government has already placed nations, where this VoC has been found, in the category of ‘at risk’ countries for more follow-up measures of international travellers coming into lndia from these destinations, he said in a letter dated November 27.

“ln view of the possible threat that this VoC can pose to the nation, it is imperative that the intensive containment, active surveillance, increased coverage of vaccination and COVID-appropriate behaviour must be enforced in the field,” Bhushan said.

The health secretary said it is essential that the disease surveillance network in the country is geared up for rigorous follow-up of international travellers from all countries, especially those designated as ‘at risk’.

There is already a reporting mechanism for obtaining past travel details of passengers coming through international flights, he said, adding this should be reviewed and the protocol provided by the ministry should be strictly ensured, including testing on disembarkation of travellers coming from ‘at risk’ countries and sending all positive samples for genome sequencing to INSACOG labs in a prompt manner.

Karnataka seeks ban on flyers from Omicron-hit nations 

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has requested the Centre to impose a travel ban on passengers coming from South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana in view of Omicron, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

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