Avoid travel to Iran, Italy, S Korea: New govt advisory
NEWDELHI:FOLLOWING a spike in the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in destinations outside of China, the Indian government on Wednesday issued a fresh travel advisory, cautioning people to avoid non-essential travel to South Korea, Iran and Italy. This is in addition to an advisory against travel to China, Hong Kong and Singapore, which are countries that have reported local transmissions of the infection.
“People coming from Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since February 10, 2020, may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India,” the health ministry said in a statement after a meeting on the COVID-19 outbreak in China in December last year.
“In view of the evolving situation related to COVID-19 being reported from other countries, besides the travel advisories already issued by the health ministry a fresh advisory has been issued today after the review of global situation,” the statement added.
On Saturday, India had expanded thermal screening of passengers to include people returning from six more countries--nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea -- at the country’s airports and major seaports.
“Passengers from 10 countries are now being screened for symptoms since Monday, February 24,” said a senior health ministry official, who requested anonymity. Signs of the novel coronavirus include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough and breathing difficulties. Since passenger screening began at 21 airports and major sea ports across the country, 397,152 flight passengers and 9,695 travellers at sea ports have been screened for symptoms of COVID-19.
Around 24,000 passengers who have travelled to China are being kept under observation. India has so far detected three confirmed COVID-19 cases, all in Kerala, and all have been discharged from hospital after being cured.
So far, 2,715 people have died of COVID-19 in China.