Mandatory Covid tests for all int’l passengers if necessary: Govt

In the wake of surge in COVID-19 cases in many countries, India has started 2 per cent random sampling of international travellers coming to the country and may consider making it mandatory for all if necessary, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.He was responding to queries of some Opposition MPs after his suo moto statement in Rajya Sabha on the latest COVID-19 situation and India’s preparedness.”We are constantly monitoring the situation. There are no direct flights between China and India but people come via other routes,” he said in response to a query by Raghav Chadha of AAP on whether the government would ban direct flights from China.As a health minister, Mandaviya said he has spoken to many countries and WHO about what all precautions are needed to be taken and also understand in which direction the pandemic is moving.’At a primary stage, we have already started doing 2 per cent random sampling of any traveller coming to India,” he said.The minister further said ”in the coming days the percentage could be increased and if necessary we will make it mandatory for everyone coming to India”.Mandaviya also said the focus of the government is to ensure that no unknown variant of the virus enters India and at the same time there is now impediment on travelling.The minister assured the Upper House that all the oxygen plants were running and a review has also been done about the availability of medicines.