• RT-PCR test mandated for arrivals from China and four other countries as global Covid cases spike

    Health
    RT-PCR test mandated for arrivals from China and four other countries as global Covid cases spike
    As Covid cases continue to rise worldwide, the government said on Saturday that RT-PCR tests will be mandatory for foreign passengers ...

    Digital Desk: As Covid cases remain on the rise worldwide, the government said on Saturday that RT-PCR tests will be required for foreign passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. 

    The news comes a day after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with state ministers to discuss the current Covid crisis and guarantee that the country is prepared to stop the virus's spread.

    "For overseas arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand, an RT-PCR test will be required. If any traveller from these countries is confirmed to be symptomatic or tests positive for Covid19 upon arrival, he or she would be quarantined "According to ANI news agency, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.


    The completion of Air Suvidha papers to declare current health status will also be made mandatory for international travellers arriving from these nations. Air Suvidha is a self-declaration form established as a Covid preventive tool to help with contact tracking during the epidemic. It is currently needed for all visitors wishing to enter India. 

    He continued, "For passengers arriving from these countries, the Air Suvidha portal will be activated, and RT-PCR tests will be required. If they test positive after arriving in India, they would be quarantined."

    Random Covid testing of international incoming passengers began at airports on Saturday as officials stepped up efforts to prevent the infection from spreading throughout the country. From Saturday, 2% of all international airline passengers will be subjected to random coronavirus testing at airports.

    The health minister asked the states to strengthen the monitoring system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants to enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country at a meeting on Friday. He also advocated for increased vaccination of all eligible populations, particularly the old and fragile. He also warned against disseminating disinformation by guaranteeing the timely release of factually correct facts.



    Dr. Manohar Agnani, the additional health secretary, has asked the relevant departments to ensure that the PSA plants are fully operational. He stated in a letter to states and UTs, "The availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) in health care institutions, as well as an unbroken supply chain for its replenishment, must be ensured. Ample inventory of oxygen cylinders, as well as backup stocks and a robust refilling mechanism, is kept on hand." 

    Meanwhile, India reported 201 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing the total to 4.46 crore, with 3,397 active cases, according to the health ministry. 

    The country's active caseload is now 3,397, accounting for 0.01 percent of all cases. The current recovery rate is 98.8 percent. In the last 24 hours, 183 recoveries were made, bringing the overall number of recoveries to 4,41,42,791. 

    As the rise of Covid cases has wrought havoc in China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against complacency and urged vigilant vigilance on Thursday. People have been instructed by the government to follow Covid procedures.