Omicron variant: No need for travel ban, says IMA

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday said that it does not support the imposition of a travel ban. IMA said that India may witness a massive third wave of Covid-19 if adequate measures would not be taken to tackle the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The IMA has claimed that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 will have high penetrability. It may affect more people, it said.

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Amid the growing concerns over the new variant Omicron, the IMA has asked the central government to announce "additional" doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for healthcare, frontline workers and immunocompromised individuals.

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The medical body further praised the governments' efforts to inoculate over 50 percent of the adult population with at least one dose. It added that vaccines against Covid-19 prevent severe forms of infection.

It also appealed to the people to get themselves vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.

Likewise, it urged the people to follow social distancing norms and wear masks when in public places besides appealing to the citizens to put on hold massive social gatherings.

Though IMA did not support the imposition of a travel ban, it appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travel.

All the public transport systems should strictly follow the Covid protocols, IMA said.

-PTC News