New Covid Guidelines Amid Upcoming Festivals, New Year

After Beijing abruptly reversed its zero-Covid policy, the Covid situation in China has become a subject of concern for the rest of the globe. According to several think tanks, the death toll could reach large numbers in the coming days due to concerns that new mutations may become the primary reason behind a fresh wave of infection and end up spreading across the world in a short duration.

Recently, a high-level meeting to assess the Covid-19 issue in India was presided over by PM Modi, who recommended everyone to wear masks in crowded areas. Additionally, he issued a warning against complacency and gave instructions to officials to step up current monitoring efforts, particularly at the international airports.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will meet with the health ministers of the states and union territories today, to discuss the rise in Covid cases in several regions in the country. While just a day before, i.e. on Thursday, the Center released 'Guidelines for International Arrivals' that will take effect starting on Saturday, December 24. The new guidelines announced that from December 24 onwards, 2 per cent of passengers arriving on each overseas aircraft will be randomly tested for coronavirus.

Guidelines for International Arrivals

"Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’ in context of Covid-19 pandemic and updated the same from time to time. The present guidelines are being revised in light of the increasing trajectory of Covid cases being noted in some countries across the world", a document released by the Health Ministry states.

The fresh guidelines say that all travelers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against Covid-19 in their respective countries. It further states that any passenger having symptoms of Covid-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol.

On-arrival guidelines are as mentioned below:

1. De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing

2. Thermal screening should be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry

3. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol

4. All travelers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call the national helpline number (1075)/ state helpline number in case they have any symptoms suggestive

"Children under 12 years of age are exempted from post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol", it added.