Step Up Testing, Monitor Hotspots: Centre To States On New Covid Variant

COVID-19 'Omicron': India has placed nations where this variant of concern has been found in the category of "at-risk" countries for additional follow-up measures of travellers coming to India

The centre has asked all states to step up intensive containment and active surveillance as well as better vaccination coverage amid worries over the new coronavirus strain, 'Omicron', which was first detected in South Africa.

India has placed nations where this variant of concern has been found in the category of "at-risk" countries for additional follow-up measures of travellers coming to India.

"It is imperative that intensive containment, active surveillance, increased coverage of vaccination and Covid-appropriate behaviour be enforced in a very proactive measure to effectively manage this variant of concern," the Health Ministry said in a statement today.

There is already a reporting mechanism for obtaining past travel details of passengers coming through international flights, and this should be reviewed at your level, the centre told the states.