|THE DEN|
In wake of transmission of the highly mutated covid-19 variant 8.1.1529 in Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong, Centre on Thursday asked states strictly screen and test travellers arriving from these countries as the international travel continues to ease. Rajesh Bhushan, union health secretary in a letter written to the additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretary and Secretary (Health) of all States/UTs said that the national centre for disease control (NCDC) has informed that multiple cases of a covid-19 variant 8.1.1529 have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Hong Kong (1 case). “This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel," said Bhushan in the letter. “lt is therefore imperative that all international travellers travelling from and transiting through these countries, (they are part of the "at risk" Country Category of international travellers coming to lndia) and also including all other 'at risk' countries indicated in the revised Guidelines for lnternational Arrivals issued by this Ministry dated 11.11.2021, are subjected to rigorous screening and testing, as per ministry of health Guidelines," he said adding that the contacts of these international travellers must also be closely tracked and tested as per union health ministry guidelines.
(Except for the headline and the pictorial description, this story has not been edited by THE DEN staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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