Omicron: New Covid-19 Variant Could Delay Resumption Of International Flights

In wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the government has decided to review the resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services.

The government is also set to review its SOPs for testing and surveillance of incoming passengers, especially from countries identified as 'at risk’.

According to official spokesperson, the decisions were taken at an urgent meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.

The meeting was held a day after a high-level review by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Omicron Covid-19 variant.

After a long hiatus of more than 20 months, the government had on November 26 announced the resumption of scheduled international commercial flights from December 15.

The home ministry spokesperson said at the meeting, chaired by the home secretary, the overall global situation in the wake of the Omicron virus was comprehensively reviewed and various preventive measures in place and to be further strengthened were discussed.

The government will review the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services as per evolving global scenario, the spokesperson said.

The new, potentially more contagious B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 24 and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

It was on Friday designated as a "Variant of Concern" by the WHO, which named it Omicron. A variant of concern is the WHO's top category of worrying Covid-19 variants.

"Government to review Standard Operating Procedure on testing and surveillance of incoming international passengers, especially for those countries identified 'at risk' category," the spokesperson said in a series of tweets.

The government has also decided that the genomic surveillance for variants will be further strengthened and intensified and Airport Health Officials (APHOs) and Port Health Officials (PHOs) will be sensitised for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports and seaports.

"Decision on effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service, to be reviewed, as per evolving global scenario," the spokesperson said.

A closer watch on the emerging pandemic situation within the country will be maintained, the spokesperson said.

The meeting was held with various experts including V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to Prime Minister, senior officers from Health, Civil Aviation and other Ministries. (With PTI inputs)