New Delhi: India on Monday expressed solidarity with countries affected by the new COVID variant Omicron, particularly Africa, as the government pledged to lend support by sending supplies of Made-in-India vaccines.


“We have noted the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19, Omicron. We express our solidarity with the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant,” the Ministry of External Affairs wrote in a statement.


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“The Government of India stands ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing with the Omicron variant, including by supplies of Made-in-India vaccines. Supplies can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally,” it added. 


The MEA informed that, in this regard, the Government has cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of COVISHIELD vaccines including to African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea, and Lesotho. 


“We have also cleared supplies of COVAXIN to Botswana. Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously,” it stated.


The Indian government has said that it is ready to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits, and medical equipment such as ventilators, as may be required. 


“Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterisation related research work with their African counterparts,” the MEA wrote.


Notably, India has, so far, supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, including nearly 1 million doses as grant to 16 countries and more than 16 million doses under the COVAX facility to 33 nations.


This announcement comes as the Omicron variant, becoming a cause of alarm, has led to countries around the world introducing travel bans and restrictions on southern African countries in an effort to contain the spread.


The new and potentially more contagious B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on November 24.


It was named Omicron and designated as a Variant of Concern by the WHO. A variant of concern is the WHO’s top category of worrying COVID-19 variants.


Omicron is reported to have a high number of mutations, about 50 overall. Importantly, as South African genomic scientists informed, more than 30 of the mutations were found in the spike protein -- the structure the virus uses to get into the cells they attack.


Meanwhile, the Centre is reviewing the decision on December 15 resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger service.


Revised Guidelines For International Arrivals


Union Ministry of Health has also issued revised ‘Guidelines for International arrivals’.


The updated guidelines require all travelers, irrespective of COVID-19 vaccination status, coming to India from countries identified as ‘countries at risk’ to mandatorily undergo post-arrival COVID-19 testing at airport on arrival in addition to pre-departure COVID-19 testing undertaken 72 hours before the departure. 


For passengers found positive in these tests, they will be isolated and treated as per protocol while their samples are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing. The passengers found negative can depart the airport but have to undergo home isolation for seven days, followed by repeat testing on eighth day of arrival in India, followed by seven days of self-monitoring.


The guidelines also mandate that five per cent of the travelers coming from countries that are not in the ‘at risk category’ be tested on a random basis at the airports for COVID-19.


States have been advised for rigorous surveillance of international passengers, enhanced testing, monitoring the hotspots of COVID -19, ensuring augmentation of health infrastructure, including undertaking samples for whole genome sequencing, the health ministry stated.