PM Modi to ease in restrictions on international travel

PM urges to monitor all international arrivals and conduct Covid tests as per existing guidelines with a specific focus on 'at risk' countries

New Delhi: Taking notes from the current rise in the new strain of COVID-19 virus - "Omicron or  B.1.1.529," Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting concerning the same. He advised officials to review plans to ease restrictions on international travel in light of global concern over the new coronavirus variant.

According to the Govt. officials, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the need to monitor all international arrivals and conduct Covid tests as per existing guidelines with a specific focus on 'at risk' countries.

PM Modi also highlighted the need to be proactive in efforts to contain the virus and underlined the importance of remaining cautious and following all Covid safety protocols, including wearing face masks in public, washing hands regularly, and maintaining social distance.

The Prime Minister chaired today's meeting with senior Govt. officials including the Cabinet Secretary, the Health Secretary, and the chief of India's Covid task force, to analyse the situation in the country.

The new variant is red-flagged by WHO and termed as a matter of concern. The rise of Omicron might lead to the downfall of the global economy.

The call to review the easing of international travel restrictions comes less than a day after the government said scheduled international passenger flights could resume from December 15.

The government said scheduled international passenger flights to and from India could return to normal, but only for countries not deemed 'at risk' by the Health Ministry.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also urged the PM to ban the flights coming from the affected countries. In Gujarat, the state govt. has mandated the travellers landing to go through an RT-PCR test.