PM Briefed On Omicron Scare. Asks Officials To Review Ease On Int'l Travel Curbs | Key Points

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a two-hour-long meeting with the top officials to discuss the evolving situation regarding the new Covid-19 variant Omicron detected in South Africa.

PM Modi chairs a meeting on the situation relating to Covid-19 & vaccination with top officials. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a two-hour-long meeting with the top officials to discuss the evolving situation regarding the new Covid-19 variant Omicron detected in South Africa. The PM asked the officials to be proactive and emphasised the precautions needed to curb the virus spread. 

The meeting began with a briefing given to the PM about the latest developments in the African region where the new variant has been detected. It was then followed by an overview of the situation in India along with the vaccination status.

“The PM highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. The PM also asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence,” said the statement from the Prime Minister's Office. 

PM highlighted need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. PM also asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence: PMO

— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2021

He also directed the officials to work closely with the state governments to ensure awareness at all levels. “He directed that intensive containment & active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases,” stated the PMO.

The new variant Omicron was first identified in South Africa on Thursday and was categorised as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization on Friday.

The cases have been detected in South Africa, Israel, Botswana, Hong Kong, and Belgium so far. Consequently, several countries have imposed travel restrictions on travelers coming from African countries. 

India has also added the names of certain South African countries to the list of the ones from where travelers will have to take additional measures. “The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare adds Hong Kong and Israel to the list of countries from where travelers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing considering the detection of new COVID variant 'Omicron' in South Africa,” the PMO stated.

Till now, the additional measures are applicable for travelers from South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Israel, Hong Kong, countries in Europe including the UK.

Omicron is a variant of concern as it has multiple mutations and is likely to be more transmissible. More data is awaited on the new variant to measure its impact on vaccine efficacy.