New Covid variants: Centre asks States to impose mask norms

Amidst rising concern over new Covid-19 variants, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said the Centre is keeping a close eye on the situation.

In his statement in the Lok Sabha, Mandaviya said already random sampling of arriving international travellers has started at airports in the country.

According to Madaviya, Covid cases have been rising in different parts of the world along with spike in deaths for the last few days. But in India, the cases are depleting.

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“The health dept has been quite proactive in managing the Covid-19 pandemic. The central government has provided financial assistance to states in fighting against the pandemic. So far, 220 crore Covid vaccine shots have been given,” ANI tweeted quoting Mandaviya.

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Mandaviya further stated that the Centre is keeping an eye on the global Covid situation and are taking steps accordingly. The States are advised to increase genome-sequencing to timely identify the new variant of Covid-19.

“In the wake of festive and new year season, States are advised to make sure people wear masks, use sanitisers and maintain social distancing along with increasing awareness for precautionary doses,” ANI quoted Mandaviya.

In the wake of festive & new year season, states are advised to make sure people wear masks, use sanitisers and maintain social distancing along with increasing awareness for precautionary doses: Union Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya in LS pic.twitter.com/z3AjWxabJs

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2022