Australia has made changes to the travel advice for India due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
The Federal Government says, “Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, some Indian states and union territories have introduced additional restrictions, including night curfews, school closures and limits to retail and public transport capacity,”
“We now advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in India overall due to the high threat of terrorist activity, civil unrest and crime, and the high rate of vehicle accidents; the impacts of COVID-19.”
“Do not travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir; and the India-Pakistan border due to the danger of armed clashes, terrorist activities and violent demonstrations.”
“Reconsider your need to travel to North-eastern states of Assam (except Guwahati), Nagaland and Manipur; Chhattisgarh; and the border areas of neighbouring states due to the high risk of violence.”
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Indian national capital is witnessing an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases over the last week, with the positivity rate now climbing to 1.29 per cent.
Delhi reported 923 cases of coronavirus – an 86 per cent jump in cases from Tuesday and the highest since May 30. The capital city had recorded 496 new cases, the biggest single-day spike in infections in over six months.
Mumbai had registered 2,510 cases of Covid on Tuesday – an 82% jump over yesterday’s cases. 20 related deaths were recorded in Maharashtra in 24 hours. All public places in the city will remain shut on December 31.
Restrictions implemented by various states:
Delhi
Delhi Government has issued a yellow alert due to a rise in Omicron cases. A night curfew has also been imposed in the national capital. Only the patients and pregnant women, people out to buy essential items, and those travelling to or from railway stations, bus stops and airports are exempted from the night curfew between 10 PM and 5 AM from Monday.
Schools, colleges, cinema halls, banquet halls and gyms etc. would be stay closed while public transport will run with restrictions.
State’s Health Minister Satyendra Jain said many international travellers, who have tested negative at the airport, are testing positive after a few days and infecting their family members.
Uttar Pradesh has imposed section 144 till New Year as preventive measures.
Mumbai
Mumbai has made seven days’ home quarantine mandatory for passengers arriving from Dubai. There will be no need for an RT-PCR test for fully vaccinated travellers on arrival. An RT-PCR test will be done on the seventh day.
“If the test is positive, they will be shifted to institutional quarantine as per the current guidelines for the international traveller,” BMC said.
“For travellers residing in cities other than Mumbai, the collector will arrange transportation for such passengers. However, travellers will not be allowed to take public transport,” the Indian Express reported.
High-risk international flyers shall undergo RT-PCR tests on arrival at any airport in Maharashtra. They shall undergo a 7-day “institutional quarantine” with a second test to be carried out on the seventh day.
Kolkata
Travellers arriving in West Bengal from Omicron-hit nations have to spend seven days in isolation. “Directions have also been given to set up a special ward at the government-run Beleghata ID Hospital, especially for patients who test positive for Omicron,” according to the Indian Express.
WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that many people with coronavirus symptoms are coming from outside. The CM, who was addressing a meeting at the state secretariat Nabanna, asked officials to be on guard to prevent any spike in cases.
“Though the situation still remains under control, we should not lower our guards. If required we will reimpose restrictions once more. Not yet, but maybe depending on the turn of events in coming days,” she added.
Bangalore
International travellers will undergo an RT-PCR test and remain in home quarantine for seven days.
Bangalore has put restrictions in place due to the Omicron scare. The new rules state that the restaurants, hotels, clubs and pubs will function with 50 per cent of their seating capacity.
Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant said on Twitter, “All gatherings, meeting conferences, including marriages from December 28 should strictly limit the number of participants to 300 people only.”
