Union Health Ministry has issued alert on the risk posed by South African variant of COVID-19.

Key Points

• The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that multiple cases of “COVID-19 variant 8.1.1529” have been reported in recent time.
• Botswana reported 3 cases, South Africa reported 6 cases while Honk Kong reported 1 case.
• The variant was reported to have a significantly high number of mutations. Thus, it has serious public health implications in light of relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel.

What does new norms mean for international travellers?

These countries are part of ‘at risk’ country category of international travellers who are coming to India. These travellers will be subjected to rigorous screening and testing. Their contacts will be closely tracked and tested in accordance with the health ministry guidelines for this category. In case they test positive, their samples must be sent to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).