Omicron and its sub-lineages are the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in India, the government informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Duringඣ the last four months, more than 1900 Omicron sub-variants have been detected among the samples analysed by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) across the country, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply.
Given the emergence of variants of Covid-19 🎶virus with variable transmissibility and their possi🃏ble health implications, INSACOG network laboratories conducts whole genome sequencing of samples for detection of mutant variants of the virus.
In light of increasing trajectory of Covid-19 cases noted in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand and Japan, an additional requirement ꧑of pre-departure testing and uploading of negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test reports and self-health declaration form on Air Suvidha portal was made mandatory in the past for tܫravellers coming from or transiting via these countries, Pawar said.
However, based on declining Covid-19 trajectory in these countries, an🐭 updated guideline was issued on February 10, wherein the additional requirements were dropped.
Two per cent of the total passengers in all incoming international flights are required to🍸 undergo post arrival Covid-19 testing, irrespective of port of departure tꦗo monitor positive cases and their variants, the minister said.
