Today, the central government informed the parliament that airport random sampling for Covid testing of incoming foreign travellers had begun. Due to recent spurt of cases in China, PM Narendra Modi will also convene a review meeting after 3.30 pm.
Ten Key Developments
Two Percent travellers would be required to provide samples
- According to today’s announcement from Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, 2% of travellers would be required to provide samples. They will be permitted to leave after the RT-PCR tests are completed; according to protocol, they will be contacted if the results are positive and a treatment course will be decided.
- There is currently no government plan in place to halt flights from nations where fresh cases have been discovered. The minister emphasised, “We don’t have any direct flights to or from China.” We are working to prevent the virus from entering India, but we also don’t want travel to be halted.
- In response to the recent uptick in China, Mr. Mandaviya said nations have been “advised to ensure protocol is followed,” but there is no compulsion at this time.
- In order to comprehend the novel forms of the virus, the Center has also requested that all states ensure genome sequencing of positive cases.
- This is consistent with what the minister indicated following a meeting of an expert panel on Wednesday. According to government representatives, there is no cause to panic.
- The minister addressed the Lok Sabha in Hindi and said, “States have been instructed to be attentive and raise awareness about masks, sanitizers, and social distancing in light of the upcoming holiday season.
Sub variant of the Omircon variety known as BF.7 responsible for recent increase of COVID cases in China, also present in India
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- A sub-variant of the Omicron variety known as BF.7, which is responsible for the recent increase in China, is also present in India. India has received reports of all four of its cases; the earliest was in July and the most recent was in November. Less than 200 instances per day have been the overall average in India for several days.
- The BF.7 form has also been found in the US, UK, and other European countries, including Belgium, Germany, France, and Denmark.
- According to news agency PTI, BF.7, a sub-lineage of the Omicron variation BA.5, has the strongest ability to infect because it is highly transmissible, has a shorter incubation time, and has a stronger capability to cause reinfection.
- A political controversy has also resulted from the Centre’s sense of urgency, as the minister wrote to Rahul Gandhi of the Congress threatening to cancel his Bharat Jodo Yatra if Covid regulations are not followed. The Congress perceives a plot against its mass contact footmarch, which is currently in Haryana and will enter the national capital Delhi on December 24, despite stating that it will adhere to any rules as announced.
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