Omicron Variant Big Update: Centre To Review Date of Resumption of Scheduled International Flights

New Delhi: The Modi government on Sunday informed that the decision on effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service to be reviewed as per the evolving global scenario. “Decision on effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service, to be reviewed, as per evolving global scenario,” the Ministry of Home Affairs tweeted on Sunday.Also Read - Karnataka Seeks Travel Ban on Passengers Coming From Nations Hit By Omicron Covid Variant

“Genomic surveillance for variants to be further strengthened and intensified.  Airport Health Officials (APHOs) and Port Health Officials (PHOs) to be sensitized for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports/ ports,” the ministry added. The government has also informed that the Centre will review the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on testing and surveillance of  incoming international passengers, especially for those countries identified ‘at risk’ category. Also Read - South Africa Slams Countries Imposing Travel Bans on Fears of Omicron, Calls it 'Knee-Jerk Reaction'

The decisions were taken following a high-level review meeting charied by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on new COVID Variant of Concern ‘Omicron’. The meeting was held with various experts, Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to Prime Minister, & senior officers from Health, Civil Aviation and other Ministries.