Random of arriving international passengers has also started at airports
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said RT-PCR test for the detection of COVID-19 would be made mandatory for passengers from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand for their travel to India.
Any passenger from these countries found symptomatic or testing positive for coronavirus would be quarantined, he said.
"Passengers from China, Japan, Singapore and Bangkok (Thailand) are being monitored through the 'Air Suvidha' portal," Mandaviya told reporters.
In view of the pandemic situation, passengers of flights from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Bangkok are required to upload their RT-PCR report in advance. Even after landing in India, they will undergo thermal screening, he said.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Covid situation in India:
Bharat Jodo Yatra Flouting Covid Protocols: Union Minister Anurag ThakurUnion Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday hit out at the Congress over its Bharat Jodo Yatra, accusing the party of abdicating its responsibility by flouting Covid protocols. Thakur also sought to know whether Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra, had undergone his Covid test as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who had walked alongside him last week, was infected with coronavirus.
Tamil Nadu Test 37 International Passengers For COVID-19The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday screened 37 passengers who arrived at the international airport for COVID-19. None among those screened had symptoms for Coronavirus, said State Health Minister Ma Subramanian. The passengers had arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Colombo and Dhaka.
Surat Steps Up Covid Vaccination DriveIn view of the recent upsurge in cases of Covid 19 in some countries, the vaccination drive in Surat has got a fast track. "Today long queues were seen since morning for the booster dose of the vaccine at the Health Center operated by Surat Municipal Corporation. People are voluntarily coming forward to complete their vaccination course," said a Surat Municipal Corporation official.
Authorities Asks Devotees At 2 Maharashtra Temples To Wear Masks The authorities at Aundha Nagnath temple and Tuljapur Temple in Maharashtra have requested people to use face masks amid a scare of a spike in COVID-19 cases. Everyone coming to the temple has been asked to adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour, including maintaining social distancing.
Passengers At Madhya Pradesh's Khajuraho Airport To Be Tested For CovidPassengers arriving at Khajuraho Airport in Madhya Pradesh will be screened for coronavirus if they show symptoms of the infection, an official said on Saturday. As per directives of the authorities, a team will be posted at Khajuraho Airport for screening passengers and RT-PCR tests will be conducted in suspected cases.
Karnataka Chief Minister asks people to follow safety norms
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday appealed to the people not to panic but exercise caution, amid rise in COVID-19 cases in certain countries and said his government has taken adequate measures to manage the situation.
The health department officials have been directed to increase the booster dose coverage and organize camps at Taluk and district level to administer doses and ramp up testing for COVID-19.
Shanghai asks residents to stay in on Christmas as China COVID-19 surges
Shanghai authorities urged residents to stay at home this weekend, seeking a toned-down Christmas in the nation's most populous city as COVID-19 rages nationwide after tough curbs were lifted.
A branch of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission on Saturday urged young people in particular to avoid crowded gatherings, due to the ease of spreading the coronavirus and low temperatures.
Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in China, but it is common for young couples and some families to spend the holiday together.
Centre asks states to ensure availability of oxygen
With some countries witnessing a surge in Covid cases, the Centre on Saturday urged states and union territories to ensure the availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen, adequate inventory of cylinders and functional life support equipment such as ventilators at hospitals to face any challenge.
The health ministry asked them to ensure Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plants are kept fully functional and regular mock drills are conducted to check them.
Covid Test Mandatory For Passengers From China, 4 Other Countries
India has mandated a COVID-19 negative test report for travelers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand, the health minister said on Saturday.
Passengers from those countries would be put under quarantine if they showed symptoms of COVID-19 or if tests positive were, minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.
Read MoreIndia records 201 new COVID-19 infections
India reported 201 new coronavirus infections, raising the tally to 4.46 crore, while the active cases increased to 3,397, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The death toll stands at 5,30,691 with one fatality reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am by the ministry stated.
The daily positivity was recorded at 0.15 per cent and the weekly positivity at 0.14 per cent.
Thane records one new COVID-19 case; active tally seven
Thane district of Maharashtra recorded one new coronavirus positive case, which took its overall tally to 7,47,388, a health official said on Saturday.
With the addition of this case on Friday, there are now seven active cases in the district, he said, adding that the death toll remained unchanged at 11,967.
International Passengers To Undergo Random Covid Testing
With random coronavirus testing of international arriving passengers set to start from Saturday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has said that airlines' crew members will have to bring such identified passengers to the testing facility at the airport.
The health ministry said that airlines are required to direct their crew members to lead and bring identified 2 per cent of international arriving passengers to the testing facility at the airport.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airlines are required to direct their crew members to lead and bring identified 2 per cent of international passengers to the testing facility at the airport.
India will start random coronavirus testing for international arriving passengers from today amid rising cases in China and some other countries.