Omicron Scare: 10 Int'l Travellers From African Nations Go Untraceable In Bengaluru

New Delhi: As the central government including state governments are exploring options to tackle the COVID-19 new variant named 'Omicron', but it seems that few people are taking it causally which reflects that they don't have learned any lesson from years.

In a recent development, the around 10 international travellers who arrived in Bengaluru from African countries have gone untraceable, claimed Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Notably, this comes after the Karnataka became the first state in the country to report two cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19.

While speaking to media over the matter, BBMP Commissioner Gaurav Gupta said, ''We will continue to track those people and whoever is not responding over phone, there is standard protocol and we will follow that.''

He also requested people to keep themselves alert and take all safety measures.

Reportedly, after Omicron was found in South Africa, at least 57 passengers landed in Bengaluru of which 10 passengers are untraceable by BBMP. Their mobile phones are switched off and they are not available at the address.

Omicron Scare In India

The Union Health Ministry on Thursday confirmed India's first two Omicron cases -- both in Karnataka.

One of the two infected people is a South African who had travelled to India. The other is a Bengalurean with no travel history. The two who tested positive are aged 48 years and 66 years respectively. Both were doubly vaccinated and are asymptomatic.

However, Omicron patients' contacts have been traced, according to the authorities. Omicron instances have been documented in a total of 24 countries, including India.

Meanwhile, a total of 12 international travelers suspected to be infected with the Omicron variant have been admitted at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital in Delhi.

As per the reports, 10 of them have tested positive for COVID-19 while the other two have symptoms but are yet to be tested.

There will be genome sequencing of the all 12 samples in order to ascertain which strain of the coronavirus they belong to.

Govt Put Hold On International Flights

In the wake of such scenario, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday postponed the full resumption of commercial international passenger flights from December 15.

The DGCA further had said that the effective date for resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services will be notified in due course.

"In view of the emerging situation, we are postponing the resumption of international flight operations. We will, however, continue flights under the air bubble agreement," said DGCA Director General Arun Kumar.

New Guidelines For Omicron Variant

Apart from uploading negative RTPCR report of tests conducted 72 hours prior to journey, the passengers on arrival will be required to take the Covid test and remain in home quarantine for seven days if the test is negative and also go for another test on the eighth day.

All the community contacts of those travellers who are tested positive including those seated in the same row, three rows in front and three rows behind will have to in 14-days quarantine.

Apart from these Indian has issued several new guidelines in this regard.

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