[ad_1]
NEW DELHI: No case of the new variant B.1.1.529 has been detected in India so far, health ministry sources said.
However, Hong Kong and Israel have been added to the existing list of “countries at risk”. Travellers from these countries will have to undergo additional checks and scrutiny, including post-arrival tests. Several other countries, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Singapore have already been categorised “countries at risk”.
The health ministry has urged states to ramp up surveillance and testing, particularly among international travellers and their contacts.
The WHO met on Friday to assess the new variant and to discuss whether to designate it as ‘variant of interest’ or ‘variant of concern’.
While many countries have tightened their borders due to the fear that the new variant could be the worst Covid-19 strain identified yet, with major public health implications, the UN health agency cautioned nations against hastily imposing travel restrictions.
However, Hong Kong and Israel have been added to the existing list of “countries at risk”. Travellers from these countries will have to undergo additional checks and scrutiny, including post-arrival tests. Several other countries, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Singapore have already been categorised “countries at risk”.
The health ministry has urged states to ramp up surveillance and testing, particularly among international travellers and their contacts.
The WHO met on Friday to assess the new variant and to discuss whether to designate it as ‘variant of interest’ or ‘variant of concern’.
While many countries have tightened their borders due to the fear that the new variant could be the worst Covid-19 strain identified yet, with major public health implications, the UN health agency cautioned nations against hastily imposing travel restrictions.
[ad_2]
Source link