Amid rising Covid cases, Govt issues guidelines for random screening of int’l passengers

way2barak, Dec.22: Amid rising COVID-19 cases in some countries, Government of India has issued guidelines for random screening of international passengers. It said 2% of total passengers in flight, identified by the concerned airlines, shall submit samples for random post-arrival testing and they will be allowed to leave the airport thereafter. If samples are tested positive, they will be further sent for genomic testing.

The Narendra Modi government on Thursday laid out the guidelines for the random screening of international passengers. According to the letter sent by Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, a sub-section of 2 per cent of the total passengers in a flight will undergo random post-arrival testing at airports in India. The health secretary’s letter to the civil aviation ministry comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review India’s preparedness to tackle any situation in wake of the rising Covid-19 cases in China. Noting that Covid-19 is not over yet, the prime minister cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil. He directed the officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at the international airports.