New Delhi, Nov 27,2021: In the wake of new Covid-19 variant ‘Omicron’ cases being reported in Israel, Botswana and Hongkong, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed officials to review plans of easing international travel restrictions.
The PM’s direction came during a review meeting chaired by him virtually with top officials concerned over Covid-19 and vaccination, after the former was briefed about the new variant, and its implications for India.
At the meeting, Modi highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement said.
He directed the officials that genome sequencing samples be collected from international travellers and community as per norms, tested through the network of labs already established under Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), and early warning signal identified for Covid-19 management.
Modi also asked them to work closely with the State governments to ensure that there is proper awareness at the State and district level. He also directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are reporting higher cases presently.
The PM also urged the countrymen to continue wearing masks and follow social distancing.
