Covid-19 New Guidelines: Central government changes previous order

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made some changes in the guidelines for travelers coming from abroad. These new rules will be applicable to the countries which the central government has placed in the 'at risk' category. Every passenger coming from these countries will have a corona test at the Indian airport. If that passenger is found to be Tested Positive, then their sample will be sent for genome testing. Also, they will be isolated according to the standard protocol. They will not need to go to the isolation facility.

According to the new guidelines of the Ministry of Health, 'Standard protocols will be applicable to the passengers.' Isolation facility will not be mandatory for international travelers coming from risky countries from 22 January. Also, prescribed protocols would be applicable to them, including contact tracing.

The new guidelines regarding corona virus will come into effect from 00.01 pm on Saturday night. Earlier, the previous rule came into effect from January 11. As before, the new guidelines will continue till further orders. The ministry has said in its new order, 'In view of the changing circumstances, the Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines. This includes home isolation.

At present, 19 countries fall in the 'at risk' category. Apart from Britain, many European countries are also included in this. All these are placed in one category. South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Ghana, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Israel, Congo, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, Zambia are also included in this list. International flight operations have been banned in the country since the first lockdown in March 2020. The ban was supposed to be lifted on December 15 last year, but was put on hold by Omicron's growth. DGCA has extended the decision to ban international flights till February 28.