Covid Alert: 2% of flyers to undergo random coronavirus tests from tomorrow

The Aviation Ministry issued new guidelines on Thursday in response to the country's increasing risk of coronavirus infection. The Civil Aviation Ministry issued an order stating that 2% of all passengers on the flight should be tested for Covid beginning tomorrow, December 24. Passengers should be screened upon arrival, according to the order.

The order also stated that positive test results should be sent for genome sequencing. Only after taking samples from these passengers should they be allowed to leave the airport.

A copy of the positive report should be shared with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme by the concerned Testing Laboratory (in addition to sharing with the APHOS), to be shared with the concerned State/UT for further follow-up action, according to the order. "


Post-arrival random testing is not required for children under the age of 12. However, if they are found to be symptomatic for Covid-19 upon arrival or during the self-monitoring period, they will be treated according to the guidelines.

With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, state governments have been asked to step up efforts to prevent the spread of Covid, as India reinstated random testing at airports for international passengers.

Following the recent relaxation of strict lockdown measures, there is growing concern about the spread of Covid in China. Patients have flooded China's hospitals and medical facilities.

Globally, the number of Covid cases continues to rise, with approximately 5.9 lakh new cases reported daily on average during the week ending December 19, 2022.

This increase in Covid-19 cases is especially concerning in Japan, the United States of America, South Korea, Brazil, France, and China, where cases have been steadily increasing.

FAQs

Q1. How many flyers will undergo random coronavirus tests?
Approximately 2% of passengers on each international flight will be subjected to random coronavirus tests.

Q2. Which is the Omicron sub-variant driving the new surge in China?
BF.7 the Omicron sub-variant variant currently driving China's Covid surge.