Covid-19 surge: European Union nations urged to halt non-essential journey from India

The request got here after the World Health Organisation’s proposal to reclassify the B.1.617.2 variant of Covid-19 present in India as a “variant of concern”, elevating the alert from a “variant of interest”. People carrying protecting face masks wait to obtain vaccine exterior a centre in Kolkata. (Photo:Reuters)The European Union’s govt on Wednesday referred to as on nations of the bloc to quickly halt non-essential journey from India, to restrict the unfold of a Covid-19 variant.The European Commission stated its proposal adopted the World Health Organisation’s proposal on Monday to reclassify the B.1.617.2 variant of Covid-19 present in India as a “variant of concern”, elevating the alert from a “variant of interest”.EU nations ought to apply an “emergency brake” on non-essential journey from India, it stated in a press release.”It is important to limit to the strict minimum the categories of travellers that can travel from India for essential reasons and to subject those who may still travel from India to strict testing and quarantine arrangements,” it added.Also See: Indian Covid-19 variant present in 44 nations, Britain has most circumstances: WHOLast week the Commission proposed that the EU’s 27 member states ease COVID-19 journey restrictions from June to permit overseas travellers from extra nations to enter the bloc, whereas preserving the choice to shortly limit journey from nations the place the well being scenario deteriorates sharply. learn extraThe member states haven’t but adopted this advice however might individually choose to ban non-essential journey from India earlier than it’s adopted.India’s coronavirus loss of life toll crossed 250,000 on Wednesday within the deadliest 24 hours because the pandemic started and consultants around the globe have expressed concern the variant first recognized there could also be extremely transmissible.The European Commission stated restricted exemptions ought to apply to its proposed halt to journey from India, together with to these travelling for “imperative family reasons” or EU residents and long-term residents.Those travellers ought to face further well being measures on arrival within the EU, comparable to strict testing or quarantine necessities, it stated.Also Read | WHO ought to have declared Covid-19 an emergency a lot earlier than, misplaced a month as a result of it: Panel reportAlso Read | Second Covid wave appears to have flattened however gained’t finish earlier than July: Virologist Shahid JameelClick right here for IndiaAt the moment.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.