New Delhi: India on Monday expressed solidarity with countries affected by the new COVID variant Omicron, especially from Africa, as the government pledged to support by sending supplies of made-in-India vaccines.
“We have noticed the emergence of a new version of COVID-19, Omicron. We express our solidarity with the countries, especially in Africa, that have been affected so far by the Omicron version,” the foreign ministry wrote in a statement.
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“The Government of India stands ready to support affected countries in Africa in dealing with the Omron variant, including the supply of Made-in-India vaccines. The supplies can be made through COVAX or bilaterally,” it added.
The MEA informed that, in this regard, the Government has approved all orders placed so far by COVAX for the supply of COVISHIELD vaccines, including African countries such as Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho.
“We have also approved the supply of COVAXIN to Botswana. Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously,” it said.
The Indian government has said that it is ready to supply medical equipment like essential life saving drugs, testing kits, gloves, PPE kits and ventilators, as may be required.
“Indian institutions will favorably consider collaboration with their African counterparts in research on genomic surveillance and virus characterization,” the Ministry of External Affairs wrote.
Notably, India has so far supplied over 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, with about 1 million doses as grants to 16 countries and 33 countries under the COVAX facility. Contains over 16 million doses. ,
The announcement comes as an Omicron version has caused alarm, with countries around the world imposing travel restrictions and restrictions on southern African countries in an effort to contain the spread.
The new and potentially more infectious version B.1.1.1.529 was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on 24 November.
It was named Omicron and designated as a variant of concern by WHO. One variant of concern is the WHO’s top category of worrying COVID-19 variants.
Omicron is reported to have a high number of mutations, about 50 in total. Importantly, as reported by South African genomic scientists, more than 30 mutations were found in the spike protein – the structure the virus uses to move into the cells they attack.
Meanwhile, the Center is reviewing the decision to resume scheduled commercial international passenger service on December 15.
Revised Guidelines for International Arrivals
The Union Health Ministry has also issued revised ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’.
The updated guidelines require all passengers, regardless of the status of the COVID-19 vaccination, to be tested for pre-departure COVID-19 for passengers arriving from countries identified as ‘at risk countries’ in India. Apart from this, they will also have to mandatorily undergo COVID-19 test on arrival at the airport on arrival. Tested 72 hours before departure.
For passengers found positive in these tests, they will be isolated and treated as per protocol, while their samples will be sent for whole genome sequencing. Passengers found negative can depart the airport, but will have to be in home isolation for seven days, followed by a re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India, followed by seven days of self-monitoring.
The guidelines also mandate that five per cent of passengers arriving from countries that are not in the ‘risk category’ should be tested for COVID-19 at airports on a random basis.
The health ministry said states have been advised to ensure strict surveillance of international travellers, increased testing, surveillance of COVID-19 hotspots, augmentation of health infrastructure, Including samples for whole genome sequencing.
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