UP Govt Mandates Covid Testing for International Passengers at Airports

As Covid-19 cases surge across the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued a high-priority directive to ensure that international passengers are screened at all airports. The directive also makes wearing masks mandatory for all people at crowded places.

Genome Sequencing of Positive Covid Samples Mandated

In addition, the state government has ordered that all samples that test positive for Covid should be sent for genome sequencing.

The directive states that both private and government labs should send all positive Covid samples to the microbiology department at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) for whole genome sequencing.

Guidelines Issued to Health Officials Across the State

The guideline, issued by the state secretary, has been sent to all divisional commissioners, district magistrates, chief medical officers, and other health officials across the state. The state government order is in line with the guidelines issued by the Centre.

Surveillance and Rapid Response Teams to be Activated

The directive further states that integrated Covid command centres should be activated, surveillance teams should be made active, rapid response teams should be sensitised, and ‘nigrani samiti’ should be formed at the district level.

Rapid response teams should visit the residence of Covid patients within 24 hours of the sample testing positive.

Doctors and paramedical staff at hospitals across the state should also be sensitised, according to the directive. Besides, the availability of equipment, medicine, and manpower should also be checked at hospitals.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s directive comes in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases in the state, and aims to tackle the spread of the virus effectively.