RT-PCR Test Is Mandated
COVID-19: India reports 243 fresh COVID-19 cases and 1 death is also reported in Maharashtra in last 24 hours, said the Health Ministry. The death count stands at 530699. Ahead of the rise in the COVID-19 cases, active cases have increased to 3609. The Health Ministry said that daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.11 per cent whereas the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.16 per cent.
Ahead of the increase in number of cases prevailing in the country, almost 185 patients are recovered during this period. According to the report, the recovery rate in the country is about 98.80 per cent.
Government Actions To Combat COVID-19 Cases
Amid the global rise of corona virus cases, Health Ministry has taken actions to combat the virus. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that from 1st January, RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for passengers coming from six countries. He said that the passengers will first have to upload their negative reports on the Air Suvidha portal.
On Thursday, Health Ministry tweeted about the mandate of RT-PCR for the passengers and said that international passengers traveling to India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand shall mandatorily undergo RT-PCR test before departure from their respective countries. COVID negative RT-PCR test reports will have to be uploaded on the Air Suvidha portal from 1st January 2023. The statement from the ministry said that travelers should be tested within 72 hours before traveling to India.
RT-PCR test made mandatory for passengers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore & Thailand from 1st Jan 2023. https://t.co/GyPXKxGsKE pic.twitter.com/O8qE5lzaW0
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 29, 2022
Health Ministry Warns The Nation
Health Ministry said, “We have seen during the three previous waves that any surge reported in East Asian countries hits Europe in about 10 days, the Americas in another 10 days, and the Pacific island countries in another 10 days. The surge reaches India in 30 to 35 days. So, it is crucial that people stay cautious during the month of January.”
The Government has re-introduced random testing of international travelers December 24 onwards. In last three days, almost 6000 passengers are tested. According to the officials, 39 passengers are found to be positive. Despite that, Government has not banned travelling or enforces any mask mandate.
Government Officials Issues Guidelines
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a review meeting amid the global rise in COVID-19 cases. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with senior officials and ministers issued guidelines, including random samplings of 2% international travelers.
On Tuesday, a country wide mock drill was conducted to check the preparedness of the health facilities for COVID-19 management. Moreover, 20,000 health facilities from across the country participated in the drill.
-Bharat Express
