India revises guidelines for international passengers amid Omicron alarm

The Union health ministry has revised guidelines for international arrivals in India which will come into effect from December 1. Under the revised guidelines, international passengers entering India have to submit 14-days travel details and upload negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha portal before the journey.

Travellers from 'countries at-risk' will need to take the Covid test post-arrival and wait for results at the airport, according to health ministry guidelines.

If tested negative, they have to undergo home quarantine for seven days followed by a re-test on the eighth day. If the test again yields a negative result, they will have to further self-monitor for the next seven days.

“Travellers from countries excluding those 'countries at risk' will be allowed to leave airport and shall self-monitor health for 14 days' post arrival. A sub-section (5% of total flight passengers) shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival,” the guidelines state. Read full story here

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said that his father and party chief Lalu Prasad was taken to AIIMS, Delhi after he complained of fever and weakness. The Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly said that Lalu Yadav's sugar level is fluctuating.

Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon said that Indians can leave Israel as long as flights are available. Amid tightening travel restrictions over the Omicron variant, Gilon said only permanent residents can enter Israel.

"So Indians who have been working, living, studying in Israel already can come in, no problem with that," he added.

The US Geological Survey said a strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 has struck northern Peru. While the magnitude was extremely strong, the 112-kilometre depth could reduce damage and casualties, reported Associated Press. The epicenter was of the quake was 42 kilometers north northwest of the coastal city of Barranca.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swept the civic body elections in Tripura, winning all the seats of the 51-member Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), the state election commission declared. The opposition Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) failed to open their account in the AMC.

The meeting of NDA parties' floor leaders in both Houses began after the conclusion of the BJP Parliamentary Executive Committee meeting at Parliament in New Delhi.

Karnataka government has suggested educational institutions postpone all social, cultural, and academic events for two months over Covid clusters in some districts.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a road accident in Nadia, West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest," PM Modi tweeted.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to all States/UTs over the Omicron variant of Covid-19, asks them to enforce intensive containment and active surveillance measures and also increase coverage of vaccination.

PM Modi chairs the all-party meeting convened by the government today, ahead of winter session of the Parliament.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 jolted 28 km west of Callao, Peru at 0632 GMT on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey.

The epicenter, with a depth of 64.45 km, was initially determined to be at 12.0305 degrees south latitude and 77.3749 degrees west longitude, news agency ANI reported, quoting Xinhua.

Karnataka government has issued guidelines for travellers from Maharashtra and Kerala. “Production of RT-PCR negative report (irrespective of vaccination status) not older than 72 hours at entry point is mandatory for those arriving from Kerala & Maharashtra. Students who have arrived from Kerala in last 15 days to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test,” the government said.

Maldives said it was barring travellers from seven African countries from Sunday over concerns about the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, reported Reuters.

Travellers will not be allowed into Maldives from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini, its health ministry said in a statement.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will hold a high-level meeting on Monday to review air pollution situation in the capital, news agency PTI quoted officials.

BJP has won from 29 wards out of 51 wards bagging majority in Agartala Municipal Corporation, as per State Election Commission

The BJP made a clean sweep in eight municipal bodies and are leading in rest six civic bodies.

The saffron party got 58,821 votes in Agartala Municipal Corporation while Trinamool Congress is in the second position with 22,295 votes and CPM in the third position with 15,960 votes.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee offers condolences on the loss of lives in the Nadia road accident.

"Government of West Bengal will extend every necessary assistance and support to the kin of the victims," she says.

Israel closes borders to all foreigners over Omicron variant of Covid-19, reports news agency AFP.

Citing "unavoidable reasons", Uttar Pradesh-Teachers Eligibility Test (UP-TET)-2021 examination has been cancelled following information of paper leak. UP government will conduct the exam again within a month. Investigation to be conducted by UP STF, basic education minister Satish Dwivedi announced.

He said that fresh date for the test would soon be announced.

Two cases of the new omicron variant of coronavirus disease reported in Sydney, Australia.

“Vrindavan attracts people from all around the world. No one can fathom the bliss of Vrindavan, its infinite,” PM Modi said. Follow live updates here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation in the 83rd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11am today.

The BJP's Tushar Kanti Bhattacharjee and Abhishek Dutta win from Ward number 35 and Ward number 18 of Agartala Municipal Corporation respectively, reports ANI.

Maharashtra chief minsiter Uddhav Thackeray will hold a Covid-19 review meeting today with all Divisional Commissioners and Collectors.