Preventing The Spread Of New Mutations Of Coronavirus, India Tightens Monitoring Of Travelers From These 3 Countries

Airport illustration. (Chuttersnap / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Indian authorities plan to tighten their border surveillance, especially by air, due to the spread of new mutations of the coronavirus originating from Britain, South Africa, and Brazil.

In anticipation, India will mandate the COVID-19 molecular test for people who come, either directly or indirectly from Britain, South Africa, and Brazil.

This anticipation was carried out in line with the discovery of four cases of COVID-19 infection with virus mutations from South Africa. As well as one case of COVID-19 infection with a viral mutation from Brazil.

The government says the South African and Brazilian strains could more easily infect a person's lungs than the British mutation. Meanwhile, India has so far reported 187 cases of infection with the British mutation.

Wednesday evening local time, the South Korean government asked all airlines starting next week, to separate travelers from the three countries.

India has no direct flights with Brazil and South Africa, and most people traveling from these countries generally transit via Middle Eastern airports.

In addition, all airplane passengers must bring the latest negative COVID-19 certificate, before being allowed to board the plane to carry out the flight.

"All travelers arriving or transiting via flights originating from Great Britain, Europe, or the Middle East are required to undergo molecular testing, self-payment confirmation upon arrival", India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement.

It is known that India's coronavirus infections rose by 12.881 in the last 24 hours to around 11 million, while deaths increased by 101 to more than 156.000. It was the highest daily increase in cases in a week, putting India second only to the United States in a total number of infections.