New Delhi, December 22
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against any complacency in respect of Covid and directed heightened surveillance especially at international airports for timely detection of newer, more transmissible variants.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in the wake of Covid surge in China and some other countries, the prime minister delivered five major messages to attending ministers, states and UTs and people—focus on increased genome sequencing and Covid testing; ensure hospital readiness; adhere to Covid protocols; mask up in crowded places and administer boosters doses with priority to the elderly and the vulnerable.
The meeting decided to continue with the strategy of randomly testing 2 pc of all foreign arrivals to detect any new variants rather then consider a ban on flights to and from the affected countries.
Sources said the Covid situation would be monitored closely and a call taken later on whether the previous tool of Air Suvidha needed to be revived in respect of nations witnessing a surge.
Air Suvidha forms made it mandatory for inbound international travellers to give details of RT-PCR tests conducted 72 hours prior to travel and their vaccination proof.
At today’s review meet attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and top officials, the PM monitored preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, status of Covid vaccination and emergence of new Covid-19 variants and their public health implications for the country.
“The Prime Minister cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil. He reiterated that Covid is not over yet and directed officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at the international airports,” a PMO statement said.
At the meeting, Member Health NITI Aayog VK Paul said India had been witnessing a steady Covid decline with average daily cases falling to 153 and weekly positivity down to 0.14% in the week ending December 22.
However, 5.9 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally since the last six weeks, PM was told.
The PM stressed the need to ensure that the entire Covid infrastructure at all levels is maintained at a high level of preparedness in terms of equipment, processes and human resources.
