Instead of travel bans, India is keeping ‘watch’ on ‘at risk’ nations: MEA as Omicron reaches country

All travellers from ‘at-risk’ countries have to mandatorily undergo RT-PCR testing upon their arrival at an Indian airport. Even if the result turns out to be negative, the passenger has to compulsorily undergo a seven-day quarantine and a take a retest for Covid-19 on the eighth day.

Following the detection of Omicron Covid-19 variant in India, the Centre on Thursday said unlike several countries, India is keeping a “watch” on ‘at-risk’ nations and not imposing travel bans of flights from such regions.

India implemented revised travel guidelines starting December 1 in wake of Omicron Covid-19 variant's emergence. (HT Photo/Vijay Bate)

Addressing a weekly media briefing, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the situation pertaining to the discovery of Omicron Covid-19 variant is “evolving” and at the moment, India has “increased surveillance and protocols like testing and mandatory home quarantine,” instead of travel bans.

Talking about the ‘at-risk’ countries, Bagchi said that the list is decided technically and is “not entirely” based on the Omicron situation as it was prepared prior to the Covid-19 variant’s emergence.

The MEA spokesperson pointed out that India is “ready” to supply medical tools, and also offer cooperative and collaboration to any nation amid the Omicron Covid-19 variant’s threat, if one comes forward with such a request.

Notably, India implemented revised travel guidelines starting December 1. According to these, all travellers arriving from ‘at risk’ countries have to mandatorily undergo RT-PCR testing upon arrival at the airport. If the result comes back as negative, he or she must compulsorily go through a seven-day quarantine period and take a retest on the eighth day. On the other hand, if the RT-PCR test report turns out to be positive, the sample will be sent for genome testing for detecting Omicron and the person will be treated at a separate isolation facility.

For passengers coming from other non ‘at-risk’ nations, a random 2% of them will be selected for undergoing RT-PCR testing. If found negative, they will be have to self-monitor their health for 14 days and if the RT-PCR test report comes back as positive, the sample will be sent for genome testing to detect Omicron Covid-19 variant’s presence.

Last month, India had expressed solidarity with the countries, especially in southern Africa, where Omicron Covid-19 variant cases have been confirmed. Earlier in the day, India also joined the list after two men aged 66 and 46 were found to be infected with the strain in Karnataka. Notably, the Omicron variant has been classified as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation.

At a press briefing earlier in the day, joint secretary of Union health ministry Lav Agarwal said that both the patients in Karnataka have mild symptoms. Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar later informed media persons that as many as five contacts of the 46-year-old Omicron patient, who is a doctor, have been found to be Covid-19 positive.

“A total of six people (including the doctor himself) have been isolated, [and] admitted to government hospital. None of them [are] showing serious symptoms. All these people (all six) are fully vaccinated,” Dr Sudhakar told news agency ANI.

He further stated that the doctor doesn’t have any travel history, while the other 66-year-old Omicron patient is a South African national, who has gone back to his home country.

With India’s confirmation, a total of 30 countries have now reported Omicron Covid-19 cases.