"Be Cautious": PM Modi On Omicron Variant At Parliament Winter Session

At his meeting with officials and experts on Saturday, PM Modi had reportedly called for a review of plans to ease travel restrictions as concerns over the new Covid variant Omicron grow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged caution on the new Covid variant 'Omicron' as he spoke before the start of the Winter Session of Parliament. He had held a Covid review meet on the weekend amid concerns about the new strain found in South Africa.

"Reports of a new variant are making us even more alert. I appeal to parliament and all of you to be cautious as every citizen's health is a priority in this hour of crisis," PM Modi told reporters in his customary remarks ahead of the session.

Since the last session, PM Modi said, more than 100 crore doses of vaccine had been given and the country is now moving towards the 150 crore-mark.

The WHO on Friday declared Omicron a "Variant of Concern", placing the new strain into the most troubling category of Covid variants, along with Delta, and its weaker rivals Alpha, Beta and Gamma.