government has made the RT-PCR test mandatory for all international
arrivals from those countries experiencing a surge in Covid cases.”The RT-PCR test will be a mandatory for international arrivals from China,
Japan, S. Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand as part of preventive measures
against spreading of virus into the country”, Health Minister Mansukh
Mandaviya announced on Saturday.
Further, the Centre also issued directions that if any passenger on arrival
is found symptomatic or tests positive for Covid-19, then person will be
put under quarantine.
Tthe states have also been directed to be on alert and ramp up the
genome sequencing to track the new variant in positive cases after sending
to virology laboratories.
Mandaviya, in a meeting with states on Friday, urged the states to
strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive
case samples to track the variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics
Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants,
if any, circulating in the country.
Mandaviya said that irrespective of the new COVID variants,
‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate & Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’
continue to remain the tested strategy for Covid management.
