New Covid-19 variant Omicron: Review easing of international flight curbs, says PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a comprehensive meeting that lasted for almost 2 hours to review the public health preparedness and vaccination-related situation for Covid-19 and the growing concerns over the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.
PM Narendra Modi was briefed about the global trends on Covid-19 infections and cases. Officials highlighted that countries across the world have experienced multiple Covid-19 surges since the onset of the pandemic.
Also Read | WHO designates new Covid-19 variant ‘Omicron’ as ‘variant of concern’
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PM spoke about the need to be proactive in light of the new variant. He said that in light of the new threat, people need to be more cautious and the need to take proper precautions like masking and social distancing. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]
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Even as he highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. PM also asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence.
The Prime Minister also directed that genome sequencing samples be collected from international travellers and communities as per norms, tested through the network of labs already established under INSACOG, and early warning signal identified for Covid-19 management.
He also directed officials to work closely with state governments to ensure that there is proper awareness at the state and district level. He directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are reporting higher cases presently. PM also asked that awareness needs to be created about ventilation and the air-borne behaviour of the virus.
Meanwhile, PM also instructed officials to coordinate with states to ensure that there is adequate buffer stocks of various medicines. He asked officials to work with the states to review the functioning of medical infrastructure including pediatric facilities.
Furthermore, he asked officials to coordinate with states to endure the proper functioning of PSA oxygen plants & ventilators.
-PTC News 
PM spoke about the need to be proactive in light of the new variant. He said that in light of the new threat, people need to be more cautious and the need to take proper precautions like masking and social distancing.
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