With new COVID strain reported in India, govt issues new rules for travellers
The South African and Brazilian strains have been detected in India.
The Centre has prepared a fresh set of travel guidelines as two new strains of COVID – the South African and Brazilian strains have been detected in India.
The new rules apply to all incoming international passengers except those from the UK, Europe and the Middle East, the health ministry has said. According to reports, four persons were detected with the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2 and one tested positive for the Brazilian variant, a first for India. The number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant in the country has reached 187, officials added.
Under the new rules, it is mandatory for passengers travelling through the UK, Europe and the Middle East to get an RT-PCR upon arrival at their own expense. Those who test negative 72 hours ahead of departure will be allowed to board the flight. This will cover passengers from South Africa and Brazil as well, since there are no direct flights from these two nations.
However, passengers travelling because of death in the family will be considered as exceptions.
In a tweet, the Union Health Ministry said: “Attention Passengers! All incoming international travellers (except travellers coming on flights originating from the UK, Europe and the Middle East) should make sure that they follow the guidelines issued by @MoHFW_India”.
In case any passenger tests positive, the virus strain will be identified and they will have to go through a separate procedure.
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