Covid precaution: India to start random testing of international passengers at airports

Hyderabad: Following a spike in Covid-19 cases in some countries, India will start random testing of international passengers. Two percent random sampling of international passengers will be carried out at international airports across the country in the wake of Omicron outbreak in China, the United States of America, Japan, South Korea, Greece, and Italy.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a suo moto statement in the Parliament said, "The government is committed to undertake all measures to ensure Covid-appropriate behavior and the focus will be to test, treat, track, and vaccinate."

He urged all Parliamentarians to help fight the pandemic and urged them to come together to fight the SARS-Cov 2 virus.

States asked to gear up

All the states have been asked to increase surveillance within the community and undertake strict control and containment measures. States have been asked to:

· Collect more samples for genome sequencing.

· Identify new variants as it is very important and the public health administration must be alert.

· Increase the precautionary dose in vulnerable groups.

Health ministry and IMA call for precaution

People have been asked to follow these Covid-appropriate behavior:

· Wear masks in public places.

· Avoid large gatherings like marriages and political and social gatherings.

· Wash hands regularly with soap and sanitizers.

· Avoid international travel.

· Precautionary Covid-19 dose vaccination is advised.

People have been advised to be alert and look out for symptoms like continuous cough, cold, fever, sore throat, and loose motion.

Bad breath and phlegm are other indications that it could be due to the Covid-19 virus.

Medical experts state that it is important to drink sufficient water, eat a balanced diet, and take rest in case of any symptoms.