Get vaccinated as soon as possible, no cause for concern in Kerala at present: Minister Veena George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George has said that although a new variant of Covid, Omicron, has been detected abroad, there is no cause for concern in the state. The minister said the state has taken steps as per the Centre's guidelines and everyone should be careful to use masks and sanitizers and maintain social distance.

Surveillance will be strengthened at all airports in the state. Those who have not been vaccinated should be vaccinated as soon as possible. She said the health department had held review meetings to strengthen preventive measures.

All passengers are required to undergo an RTPCR test within 72 hours and upload it to the Airsuvidha portal. Upon arrival in the state, RTPCR test will be again done at the airport for people coming from nations listed as per the central guidelines. After a strict seven-day quarantine, they must undergo another RTPCR test. The minister also said that samples of suspected people from these countries would be sent for testing for the genetically mutated virus.