India: Fresh Guidelines For Travellers As New Mutant COVID Strains Reported

New Mutant and highly infectious strains of COVID-19 has been found in India. They are the South African and Brazilian strains. Centre has now issued new guidelines for International travellers to curb the spread of these new strains. These guidelines will come into effect from February 23.

The Indian Council Of Medical Research says The South African strain of the virus has been detected in four people and the Brazil variant seen in one so far. Of the other highly infectious variety, the UK strain, there are 187 cases in India.

“To reduce the risk of importation of mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2, SOP for international passengers arriving in India have been updated; new SOP will be in effect on 23:59 hrs on 22nd Feb”: Ministry of Civil Aviation pic.twitter.com/mEvXqs7KZt

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2021

The Ministry of Aviation in a statement said that all international travellers will have to submit a self-declaration form for Covid-19 on online Air Suvidha portal. They need to upload a negative RT-PCR test report conducted 72 hours before the travel. In addition, passengers from United Kingdon, Europe and the Middle East will also have to declare their travel history of the last 14 days, in addition to the above-stated requirements.

Passengers from the UK, Europe and the Middle East will be subjected to self-paid confirmatory molecular test upon arrival. As per the new guidelines, their phone numbers and addresses mentioned in the self-declaration form would also be verified.

The guidelines further added that if the international passengers test negative, they will remain in home quarantine for seven days. But those found positive will be sent to the isolation unit.

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