NEW DELHI: India's government has urged residents to wear masks in crowded places and asked state governments to keep a close eye out for any new coronavirus variants, citing an increase in COVID-19 cases in China and other parts of the world.
In order to discuss the issue, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with senior government officials on Wednesday. Everyone in attendance was wearing a mask, a precaution that has not been required in the majority of the nation for several months.
"COVID is still ongoing. I've told everyone involved to be vigilant and step up security "He tweeted this. "We are equipped to handle any circumstance,"
According to local media, India has so far discovered three cases of the highly contagious BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which caused a spike in COVID-19 infections in China in October.
When Reuters contacted the Indian health ministry for comment regarding the media reports, they did not respond immediately.
Following the lifting of strict regulations, China has seen an increase in infections, and recent data from the World Health Organization indicates that infections have also increased in Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
The 54 designated genome sequencing laboratories in India have been requested by the Indian government, and all states must make sure that samples from positive cases are sent there.
India's opposition figures and some Twitter users have demanded a halt to travel to and from China. There is no such plan, according to a government source who would not give their name because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
According to sources cited by broadcaster India Today, authorities will allegedly randomly test foreign travellers at airports. A health ministry spokesperson did not immediately answer a request for comment.
Mandaviya likewise urged participants in a cross-country march led by the opposition Congress party to be immunized and to observe safety precautions like donning masks.
India has reported the most COVID cases worldwide, second only to the United States, with over 44 million cases to date. With about 1,200 cases reported each week, the number of confirmed infections has sharply decreased over the last few months.