Highlight
- PCOS released in the wake of growing fears surrounding the new mutant variant
- “The variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations”: Ministry of Health
- The new variant of the coronavirus was first found in the UK in September
New Delhi:
RT-PCR test on arrival, separate isolation of those who test positive for the new coronavirus variant, institutional quarantine for the companions of those who test positive – these are some of the prominent requirements mentioned in the new standard operating procedure ( SOP) issued by the Government of India today for travelers arriving from the UK. The PCOS was published in the wake of growing fears surrounding the new mutant variant of coronavirus recently detected in that country.
Publishing the SOP, the ministry of health and family welfare said that the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) estimates that this new variant of the virus is more communicable and affects the younger population.
“This variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations. One of the most important … changes … may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people,” said the statement from the ministry.
In this context, the government has included in the scope of the SOP all international passengers who have traveled or transited through the United Kingdom in the last four weeks (from 25 November to 23 December).
To begin with, all these travelers must declare their travel history for the last 14 days and must complete the self-declaration form. They would undergo an RT-PCR test upon arrival. In case of a positive sample, it is recommended that a spike gene based RT-PCR test also be performed.
If they test positive for the oldest variant of the coronavirus, the ongoing treatment protocol can be followed, including home isolation or facility-level treatment, depending on the severity of the case.
However, if the presence of the new variant is detected, the patient will remain in the separate isolation unit and the usual treatment protocol will be followed. Another test will be performed on day 14 and, if the sample is positive, more samples may be taken until two consecutive samples obtained 24 hours apart give negative results.
Airlines have been asked to make sure passengers are informed about the SOP prior to check-in.
The government has requested the state passenger manifest for flights from the UK for the past four weeks (Nov 5 to Dec 23) to be provided by the Immigration Office to state governments and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program so that these data can be provided to surveillance teams.
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