No Covid-19 screening at airports as of now: Odisha govt

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Saturday said Odisha doesn't need to screen passengers at airports as it has no direct international air connectivity, even as the Centre made RT-PCR test mandatory at all ports of entry in view of new Covid variant (BF.7) spreading fast in some countries.
The Centre said RT-PCR test is mandatory for those returning from Japan, China, South Korea and Hong Kong. Any passenger found with symptoms or testing positive for Covid-19 will be quarantined.
"Passengers arriving from foreign countries will be screened at the airports, where they will enter India. It is not likely that a Japan or a Korea returnee will land in Odisha without getting screened. Secondly, we don't have international air connectivity. We will take a call if cases surge. Also experts say that the virus will not cause severe infection," said director of health services Bijay Mohapatra. He said wearing masks have not been made mandatory but an advisory has been issued. "People should self-isolate if they exhibit symptoms," Mohapatra added. Direct international flights to Bhubaneswar was stopped after the first wave of Covid-19. It is not likely to resume as work on the international terminal building is underway.
Health experts said people in Odisha should regulate themselves and adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour as it is going to host the Men's Hockey World Cup and there will be congregation of lakhs of people in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
'Fresh booster dose stock sought from the Centre'
It is going to be close to three years since the pandemic started and people know how to regulate themselves. All that they need to do is to put on a mask while going out or at a crowded place," said senior pulmonologist Sampat Dash, who has been treating Covid patients since the first wave.
"So far evidence has emerged that BF.7 has no disease-causing capacity. Testing must be increased to isolate infected and symptomatic patients," he added.
Health experts further said those who have not received the booster dose, should take one to stay safe.
"We don't have vaccine stock for free booster dose. We have asked the Centre to provide us the vaccine consignment as soon as possible. However, there has been marginal increase in booster dose administration at 12 private hospitals after people came to know about the new variant," said director of family welfare Bijay Panigrahi.