Omicron Scare: Centre To Review Decision On Dec 15 Resumption Of Scheduled International Flights

The Union government had decided to resume scheduled regular international flights from December 15, nearly 20 months after these flights were suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday stated that the Union government will review the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger service, as per evolving global scenario.

Along with this, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on testing and surveillance of incoming international passengers, especially for those countries identified in the ‘at risk’ category will also be looked at.

This comes as Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired an urgent meeting on Sunday following the high-level review by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the new COVID Variant of Concern Omicron.

The meeting was held with various experts, Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to Prime Minister, and senior officers from Health, Civil Aviation and other Ministries, the home ministry stated.

In a series of tweets, it was informed that the overall global situation in the wake of the Omicron virus was comprehensively reviewed.

Various preventive measures in place and to be further strengthened were discussed.

“Government to review Standard Operating Procedure on testing & surveillance of  incoming international passengers, especially for those countries identified ‘at risk’ category,” the ministry stated.

Genomic surveillance for variants to be further strengthened and intensified. Airport Health Officials (APHOs) and Port Health Officials (PHOs) to be sensitised for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports/ports, it added.

Importantly, it was informed that the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service will be reviewed, as per evolving global scenario.

“Closer watch on emerging pandemic situation within the country will be maintained,” the ministry stated.

The Union government had decided to resume scheduled regular international flights from December 15, nearly 20 months after these flights were suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended operations of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India with effect from March 23, 2020, due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, as concerns over the new COVID variant Omicron persist, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday called for a proactive approach and a review of plans for easing of international travel curbs, and urged people to be more cautious while several states moved quickly to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant.

PM Modi was briefed by officials about the recently discovered variant Omicron during a comprehensive meeting to review the public health preparedness and COVID-19 vaccination.

The Prime Minister has stressed the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Writes To PM Modi

Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi urging him to stop flights coming to India from countries affected by a new variant of coronavirus with immediate effect.

“Our country has fought a tough fight against corona for the last one and half years. With great difficulty and due to the selfless service of millions of our Covid warriors, our country has recovered from coronavirus,” he wrote in the letter.

In view of the new Covid variant, a number of countries, including the European Union, have suspended travel to the affected regions, he stated.

“We should do everything possible to prevent the new variant of concern, recently recognised by the WHO, from entering India... I urge you to stop flights from these regions with immediate effect. Any delay in this regard may prove harmful, if any affected person enters India,” the letter added.

The Delhi government has called a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Monday to discuss steps that need to be taken in view of the threat of the new COVID-19 variant.

COVID Variant Omicron

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, and has also been identified in countries like the United Kingdom, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

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.

The variant 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.

The new 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 Omicron’s spread.

The Union government has asked all states and Union territories to conduct rigorous screening and testing of all international travellers coming from or transiting through South Africa, Hong Kong, and Botswana, where the variant of serious public health implications has been reported.

(With Agency Inputs)