Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope, on Monday, November 29 stated that those passengers arriving from “at-risk” countries are being tested through two-three different methods, reported the news agency, ANI.
Firstly, travellers have to undertake a compulsory RT-PCR test on arrival which is followed by a mandatory 7-day quarantine. After the quarantine, they have to undergo the RT-PCR test again.
Tope, however, added that the state cabinet has raised its concerns. He posed a question as to why all flights from at-risk countries aren’t be banned. Further, he stated that they must request the Union Government for this since the state cabinet has made a demand for it.
Tope, mentioned that a final decision regarding the same will be undertaken in the coming days. The state cabinet is reported to have urged Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on increasing the restrictions on passengers from at-risk countries.
Based on reports, the cabinet believes that the state should press for the suspension of direct flights from the countries where the Omicron variant has been detected. Thackeray who attended the meeting virtually, stated that the state should attain timely information about passengers coming to Maharashtra from abroad for enhanced monitoring.
Additionally, Aaditya Thackeray the Mumbai guardian minister conducted a review meeting of the readiness of Mumbai. Aspects like vaccination, jumbo centres were assessed. According to him, the island city is prepared to completely vaccinate by mid-January. This is provided that the gap between the two doses is reduced by the Centre.
Also Read: Mumbai: Here’s What Mayor Kishori Pednekar Has To Say About Omicron