PM Modi Chairs Top-Level Meeting Amid Concern Over New Variant 'Omicron'

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi organized a high-level meeting amid rising concerns over the new covid variant called Omicron.

On Saturday 27 November the Prime Minister scheduled a high-level meeting aiming to review the vaccination coverage in the country and public health preparedness.

After getting informed about the new variant found in South Africa along with the already existing COVID-19, PM Modi asked higher officials to review all the plans for easing restrictions on international travel.

The government said that international flights from and to the country could return to the normal situation but only for those countries which are not considered at high risk by the Health Ministry.

The meeting was held mainly on concern over the B.1.1.529 strain of the coronavirus, Omicron. Other officials who joined in the meeting with Prime Minister are Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Chief of Covid Taskforce in India, Dr. VK Paul and the Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister, PL Mishra.

According to the PMO, Prime Minister's office, the PM ordered officials to increase the coverage of 2nd dose of the Covid 19 vaccination in India. He further urges the officials to ensure that people in all the states must get fully vaccinated done as soon as possible. The PM also provided with the review of the development in vaccination efforts under the campaign named "Har Ghar Dastak."

In light of the new situation of the rising new variant Omicron confirmed in South Africa coinciding with the global pandemic covid 19, the PM asked people to be aware and the officials to ensure necessary measures.

The new variant with serious public health implications is reported from Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel and Botswana after South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) has called this new variant Omicron as a variant of concern.

Cumulative vaccine coverage of the country has crossed 121.06 doses. More than 73.58 lakh vaccines were administered on Friday 26 November as per the data from the Ministry of Health and Family welfare.

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