Coronavirus

Random COVID Tests For International Flyers: Check Govt Guidelines

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: The Central government on Thursday issued guidelines for random screening of international passengers in the wake of a major spike in COVID-19 cases in China and some other countries.

A letter sent by Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan to Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, 2% of the total passengers in an international flight will have to undergo random post-arrival testing at airports in India.

The travellers to undergo testing will be identified by the concerned airlines and, preferably, be from different countries.

However, the passengers who have to undergo the test won’t have to wait at the airports till the reports are out. They will be allowed to leave the airport after submitting their samples.

If any traveller tests positive for the coronavirus, a copy of the report will be shared with the integrated disease surveillance programme by the concerned testing laboratory and also with the respective state or union territory for follow-up action.

The samples of travellers testing positive will have to be sent for genome testing at the dedicated INSACOG laboratory network.

The guidelines followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-level meeting earlier in the day to review India’s preparedness to tackle any situation related to COVID-19.

Modi noted that COVID-19 is not over yet and cautioned against complacency.

He directed officials to strengthen surveillance measures, especially at the international airports.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024