Andhra, Telangana to trace, test, quarantine UK returnees

Hyderabad: Following the news of a new strain of the Covid-19 virus surfacing in the United Kingdom, the Government of India, through the Secretary of Health, had issued a letter on Monday. Adhering to that letter, the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments have issued a Covid order which specifies that all travellers from the UK will be screened and tested using an RT-PCR method. Those who test negative will be cleared and shall observe a 14-day mandatory home quarantine. These norms apply to passengers looking to enter Andhra Pradesh and Telangana under the following circumstances, passengers travelling directly from the UK, through connecting flights and those who entered the country from any other means of transport.

Speaking about the same, Bhaskar Katamneni, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, said: “We have issued orders to collectors and SPs to track those who are coming from abroad and take these preventive measures, which will be pursued until any new news regarding this issue.” During a review meeting he chaired, CM Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy said: “We should be cautious and do the needful to ensure that we do not let the new strain impact the citizens as adversely as it has in other parts of the world”

The AP government has seen promising results by following its 3Ts strategy–Trace, Test, Treat. Through tireless efforts of the Andhra Pradesh government in carrying out testing, the Covid-19 virus has been isolated in most regions.

On the other hand, the Telangana government is on high alert as new cases of the Covid-19 virus are on the rise in Britain. Police officials are keeping surveillance on travellers coming to the state from the United Kingdom. This was revealed by Telangana Public Health Director Srinivasa Rao. He held a press conference in Hyderabad. Seven passengers arrived in Telangana from the UK on Monday. A total of 358 people landed in Telangana directly from the UK in the last week or so. As part of this, they are collecting details of those who came to the state from 25November to 21December and reviewing their health as well.