Govt says no case of Omicron variant in India, 2 clusters under lens

No case of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in India, the Hindustan Times has reported quoting senior government officials.

Report added that two clusters are under investigation - one in Maharashtra and another one in Karnataka.

The clarification came a day after a man tested positive for Covid-19 in Maharashtra’s Thane district. He had travelled from Cape Town to Dombivli on November 24.

The man’s samples were sent for genome testing to determine if he has been infected with the Omicron strain.

In Karnataka, the government has ordered precautionary measures in Dakshina Kannada, Madikeri, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts bordering Kerala. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that there was high prevalence of Covid among people coming from Kerala.

The Omicron variant first emerged in South Africa and has been declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged everyone to stay alert amid the reports of a new, more dangerous variant of Covid-19.

The Indian government on Sunday issued revised guidelines for international arrivals from December 1 in view of the Omicron variant.

As per the new guidelines, passengers will have to submit a travel history of the last 14 days on govt’s Air Suvidha portal before the taking the flight. The travel history is a part of a self-declaration form.

Passengers travelling to India will also have to upload a negative RT-PCR report. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to the journey.