BENGALURU: In the backdrop of the fourth wave of Covid-19 seen abroad with the spread of a new variant of concern (XE), the state government is considering issuing fresh guidelines for passengers coming from certain countries — China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Germany, Italy, Australia, and the UK — where Covid cases are rising.
After a meeting with members of the technical advisory committee (TAC) on Monday, health minister K Sudhakar reiterated the prediction of IIT-Kanpur researchers about the fourth wave arriving around June-July. “The TAC has suggested thermal screening, strict surveillance, and mandatory quarantine for 7-10 days for passengers from these countries. The government will soon release the guidelines on this,” he said.
At present, but for the airlines conducting Covid tests on a random 2% of the passengers, no testing is being done at airports. TAC has now recommended thermal screening and checking of two-dose/full vaccination certificate of passengers from these countries. Among other things, Monday’s meeting saw discussions on the need to obtain details of passengers from these countries, using which the state surveillance team must follow up to check on the general health and situation of symptomatic travellers.
‘Complete all doses of vaccination’
Sudhakar also stressed the need to accelerate vaccination coverage amid concerns of the emergence of new variants of Covid. “Many people have not taken the second dose yet,” he said, adding that in the 15-17 age group, only 65% have taken the second dose.
“When it comes to precaution, of the 4.7 crore senior citizens who took the second dose, only 49% have taken the third dose. There already is reduced immunity in this age group. I urge everyone to please complete all doses,” Sudhakar said.
Of the estimated 20 lakh adolescents (12-14 years), 69% have been administered the first dose, he said.
