COVID-19: Tamil Nadu to begin random RTPCR testing at international airports from tomorrow
Amid the sudden surge of COVID cases in China, the Central Government has asked States and Union Territories to gear up for genome sequencing to track new variants of the dreadful coronavirus.
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Thiru Subramanian on December 23 said that state Health Department will take the necessary steps to begin random RTPCR testing of passengers at international airports. He said that the random testing at international airports will state from tomorrow. The cities where the random testing at international airports will be conducted are – Coimbatore, Chennai, Trichy, and Madurai.
The State Health Minister also informed that the Department has also increased vigilance in public places to curb unnecessary gatherings that can trigger the COVID infection.
“Health Dept has increased vigilance at public places. Necessary arrangements will be made at international airports like Coimbatore, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai for the random RTPCR testing of passengers from tomorrow as per the order of Central Govt,” Subramanian said, as quoted by ANI.
Health Dept has increased vigilance at public places. Necessary arrangements will be made at international airports like Coimbatore, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai for the random RTPCR testing of passengers from tomorrow as per the order of Central Govt: Tamil Nadu Health Minister pic.twitter.com/Ti81bDqYLp
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2022
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting with state Health Ministers to review the COVID-19 situation and preparedness.
Mandaviya also informed the Rajya Sabha about the COVID situation in the country and actions being taken by the Central Government.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation. There are no direct flights between China and India but people come via other routes.” He said at the Rajya Sabha, adding that Centre’s prime focus is to ensure that no unknown variant of COVID-19 virus enters in the country.
Recently, the Union Health Ministry has issued guidelines for international travel on December 22. As per the guidelines, thermal screening of all international travellers must be done and the travellers should be fully vaccinated.
Any passenger found to be symptomatic will be isolated and taken to a nearby medical facility. The guidelines have come into effect as of today.
The guideline also said that post-arrival random testing of passengers arriving on every international aircraft must be done to prevent the entry of new COVID variants in the country. However, Children below the age of 12 years are exempt from random testing.
First published: 23 December 2022, 16:37 IST