Travel guidelines for Omicron COVID-19 variant: See what central and state governments have advised
Guidelines for COVID-19 Omicron Variant: A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been classified and has been named as Omicron by the World Health Organisation. Amid the rising concerns of this new COVID-19 variant, the central government and the state governments in India has issued certain travel guidelines in order to ensure the safety of the people and to avoid the spread of the pandemic. It must also be noted that on Tuesday, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya said at the Rajya Sabha that no case of COVID-19 Omicron variant has been reported in India. Now, let us see the travel-related guidelines issued by the central and the state governments:
Central government
As per an ANI report, the central government has made RT-PCR mandatory for all travellers from “at-risk” countries. As for the travellers from other countries, five per cent of incoming passengers will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival. Those found positive will have to undergo the COVID-19 treatment protocol. Source: Reuters
Maharashtra
As per a PTI report, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said revised guidelines for domestic air travel will be issued by the state government in the next couple of days, amid concerns over the 'Omicron' variant of coronavirus. Tope's comments came a day after the Centre asked the state to align its order with the SOPs issued by the Union Health Ministry. Maharashtra has mandated seven-day institutional quarantine for travellers arriving in the state from 'at-risk' countries under the guidelines issued by the State Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday night. Such passengers will also undergo RT-PCR test on the second, fourth and seventh day of arrival. If found to be COVID-19 positive, the passenger will be shifted to a hospital. In case the test is negative, the passenger will still have to undergo seven-day home quarantine. Source: Reuters
Delhi
An ANI report states that as per the order issued by DDMA, airlines will inform passengers coming from at-risk category countries that they will be tested for COVID-19 after landing in Delhi. If tested positive for the virus, they will be kept in strict isolation and their sample will be sent for genome sequencing. Furthermore, such passengers will be kept in a separate isolation facility. For this purpose, a dedicated ward of 40 beds has been made in Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital in Delhi. Source: Reuters
West Bengal
The West Bengal government on Tuesday extended COVID-19 restrictions in the state till December 15, 2021, as per an ANI report. According to the order issued by the government, all outdoor activities including the movement of people and vehicles will remain prohibited between 11 PM and 5 AM except for health services, law and order and essential. Source: Reuters
Gujarat
As per an ANI report on November 27, 2021, due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the Gujarat government has mandated RT-PCR testing for travellers landing at the airport from Europe, Brazil, South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong. Source: Reuters
Karnataka
On Wednesday, the Karnataka government asked airports, ports and land borders to ensure stringent implementation of travel advisory in the state in order to avoid the spread of new COVID-19 variant, as per ANI. The guidelines require passengers to submit the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal before the scheduled travel and to submit the last 24 days ravel details. The guidelines also mandated the uploading of negative RT-PCR test reports on the Air Suvidha potal before the journey. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to the journey. Source: Reuters