Coronavirus: Universal screening on arrival from four countries

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 22

In the wake of the coronovirus, India today announced it will conduct universal screening on arrival at airports for passengers from four countries and advised citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Singapore. These included passengers coming Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia from Monday.

“After a detailed review, in addition to the universal screening as per earlier advisories, screening at airports is now being planned for flights from Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Also, in furtherance to the travel advisory issued earlier, citizens are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Singapore,” a Ministry of Health release said today.

At present, passengers who arrive in India from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore and Japan are being screened at 21 designated airports for possible exposure to the novel coronavirus. The decision was taken at a review meeting held here and chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. It took stock of the status, actions taken and preparedness of states and union territories in regard to management of Covid-19, the release said.

As on date, 21,805 passengers have been brought under community surveillance. In addition, 3,97,152 air passengers and 9,695 travellers at seaports have been screened, it said. After a detailed review, universal screening at airports is now being planned for flights from Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia from Monday, the ministry said.