The Evening Wrap: India to randomly screen international passengers at airports for COVID-19

In view of a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in China and some other countries, the Union Health Minister on December 21 reviewed the situation in the country and asked people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and get vaccinated. “COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. Meanwhile, random sample testing for coronavirus will be conducted at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries in view of the recent surge in cases in some parts of the world, official sources told PTI. The move comes following the meeting chaired by Mandaviya. “Random sample testing will be done for international air passengers arriving from various countries including China,” a source said. Three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China’s current surge of COVID cases, have been detected in India so far, official sources said. BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5 and has the strongest infection ability since it is highly transmissible, has a shorter incubation period, and has a higher capacity to cause reinfection or infect even those vaccinated. The first case of BF.7 in India was detected in October by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. So far, two cases have been reported from Gujarat while one case has been reported from Odisha, they said. According to official sources in New Delhi, Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, mostly BF.7 which is the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contributing to a wider surge of COVID infections in that country. “The BF.7’s high transmissibility in China might be attributed to a low level of immunity in the Chinese population from the previous infection and possibly vaccination too,” an official source said. BF.7 has already been detected in several other countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and European nations such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark. During the meeting, attended by experts and senior officials, the Minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario, including the preparedness of all stakeholders. Noting that only 27% to 28% of India’s eligible population have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr. V.K. Paul, after the meeting, said people should take the jab and also wear masks in crowded places. Dr. Paul urged people not to panic and said that there was no change in the guidelines for international air travel so far. “People should wear masks in crowded areas. Those with comorbidities and old should especially adhere to this,” Dr. Paul said. The government will again hold a meeting next week to monitor the situation. Underlining the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries across the world such as China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States, Mandaviya noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in view of the upcoming festive season. He directed for strengthening of the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure the timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures. States/UTs have been requested to send samples of all COVID-19 positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any, a Health Ministry statement said. In a presentation, the Minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a steady decline in cases with average daily cases falling to 158 in the week ending December 19, 2022. However, a consistent rise in global daily average cases has been reported for the last six weeks, with 5.9 lakh daily average cases reported in the week ending December 19, 2022. A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant is behind a wider surge of COVID infections in China, the statement said. Opposition parties stage protest in Parliament premises demanding a discussion on Chinese aggression in Arunachal AAP leader Sanjay Singh on December 21 took a dig at the government for not discussing in Parliament the border tension with China, saying the ruling dispensation shows its “56-inch chest” to farmers but it becomes “0.56 inch before China”. The AAP and several other Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Janata Dal(United), staged a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Parliament premises, demanding a discussion on the border tension and the latest Chinese aggression in Arunachal Pradesh. “The government is answerable to the people of this country and to parliament on the issue of tensions at the LAC [Line of Actual Control]. This government boasts of its 56-inch chest in front of protesting farmers but it becomes 0.56 inch before China,” Singh told reporters. “Import from China is increasing. Why the government is doing so? Our soldiers sacrificed their lives for safeguarding borders. Then why the government is promoting trade with China?” he asked. Since the Winter Session started on December 7, Opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the India-China border tensions and the Chinese transgressions. Before the start of the proceedings of the Parliament on December 21, 12 Opposition parties including the Congress, the CPI, the CPI-M, the RJD, the JDU, the Shiv Sena, the DMK and the NCP protested in front of the Gandhi statue, demanding a discussion on India-China border tensions. Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar rejects two notices under Rule 267 Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on December 21 did not accept two notices on the border issue with China and rising prices of essential commodities under Rule 267 of the House, saying they were not in order. However, he assured the Opposition members that he would invoke Rule 267 on merits. The chairman had given a similar assurance to the MPs while rejecting six notices under Rule 267 on December 20. Under Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha’s Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business, a listed business of the day can be suspended to take up an urgent matter with the approval of the Chair. After the listed papers were laid on the table of the House during the Zero Hour, Dhankar said he has received notices from Dola Sen (TMC) and Pramod Tiwari (Congress) for suspension of rules under Rule 267. “The same is not in order,” he said on Sen’s notice on rising prices of essential commodities. Tiwari’s notice was on concern over illegal and unprovoked Chinese transgressions in Depsang Plains and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Dhankhar said the notice of Tiwari was lacking in every element of Rule 267. Observing that his predecessors have invoked Rule 267 during their respective tenures, the Chairman said the number has never been in double digits during their five-year tenure. “But I am not a statistics-driven person. If there will be an occasion, I will invoke the rule. If there will be no occasion, I will not invoke it...,” he said. Dhankhar also noted that on December 12 he had requested leaders of parties to allocate seats among their members for the sake of convenience and for compliance with rules in identifying from which seat the member whose name has been called is speaking. “I am constrained to observe that my request has not drawn the desired attention till date,” he said and added parties including the Congress, the AAP, the TRS, the Shiv Sena, and the JDU are yet to allocate seats amongst their members. He asked the parties concerned to forward the details without any further delay to the table during the course of the day. No plans to reduce age of consent: Centre Government has no plans to reduce the age of consent for consensual relationships, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question whether the government is considering changing the age of consent for consensual relationships to 16 years from the present 18 years, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said the question “does not arise”. The minister said the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 enacted to safeguard children from sexual abuse and sexual offences clearly defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Act was further amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment, including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators and prevent such crimes against children. “In case of commission of offence by child, Section 34 under POCSO Act already provides procedure in case of commission of offence by child and determination of age by Special Court,” the Minister said. “If any question arises in any proceeding before the Special Court whether a person is a child or not, such question shall be determined by the Special Court after satisfying itself about the age of such person and it shall record in writing its reasons for such determination,” Irani said. The minister added that The Majority Act, 1875, which was amended in 1999, provides 18 years as the age for attainment of majority. In reply to another written question on child marriages, the Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that number of cases of child marriages reported has increased over the last few years as per the data of National Crime Records Bureau, but added that it does not necessarily reflect increase in the number of cases of child marriages, but may be because of increased awareness. In 2019, 523 cases of child marriage were reported, in 2020 it was 785, and in 2021, it was 1050. “Higher reporting of cases does not necessarily reflect increase in the number of cases of child marriages, but it may be because of increased awareness among citizens to report such incidents due to initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Women Helpline (181) and Childline (1098) implemented by the Ministry and better enforcement of law by states/Union Territories,” Irani said. Sepp Blatter criticises Gianni Infantino’s plans for FIFA World Cup formats Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter is criticising successor Gianni Infantino’s plans for a 48-team World Cup and an expanded Club World Cup. In an interview with German weekly Die Zeit released Wednesday, Blatter said that “what is happening at the moment is an overcommercialization of the game.” “There are attempts to squeeze more and more out of the lemon — for example with the World Cup finals with 48 teams or now with a Club World Cup that must be viewed as direct competition to the Champions League,” he was quoted as saying. “FIFA is encroaching here on something that is actually none of its business, club soccer.” The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be the first 48-nation tournament, meeting Infantino’s election pledge of a bigger and more inclusive World Cup going beyond European and South American teams. This year’s tournament in Qatar featured 32 teams. Earlier this month, Infantino called for a 32-team men’s Club World Cup in 2025. Blatter announced in June 2015 that he would resign early as FIFA president, in the fallout from a sprawling corruption investigation. He has long denied wrongdoing, saying in Wednesday’s interview that “I have never taken money that I didn’t earn — that’s why nothing on me could ever be proven in all the proceedings against me. And that will remain the case.” Infantino, a fellow Swiss, succeeded Blatter in 2016. Blatter told Die Zeit that he has “no relationship with Infantino” and that the current president “behaved disrespectfully because he has refused any contact with me since his election.” Blatter added that “he only communicates with me via lawyers.” Blatter claimed that he had repeatedly “tried to control the business,” for example in attempting to limit transfers of talented South American or African players to Europe. An attempt to introduce a pay cap for players also failed. Blatter said “we didn’t manage to protect soccer from economic and political influence.” “I really tried always to serve soccer,” he said. “If in doing so I damaged it, then I am sorry.” In Brief: At least five people were killed and more than 70,000 rushed to evacuation centres in Malaysia after monsoon-triggered floods inundated the country’s north, authorities said Wednesday. More than 31,000 people have fled their homes in Kelantan state while more than 39,000 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters in neighbouring Terengganu after flooding began over the weekend, the official Bernama news agency said. Emergency services officials said a total of five people had been killed. “The water levels reached almost three metres (10 feet),” Muhammad Ameenudin Badrul Hisyam from Kuala Krai district in Kelantan told AFP, as he cleared debris from his home after a nearby river overflowed and forced his family to flee. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 21 DECEMBER 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Dear reader, We have now made it easier for you to manage your The Hindu newsletter subscriptions in one place! 1. Visit [The Hindu newsletters page]( 2. Click MANAGE tab and then click LOGIN / SIGN UP 3. If you don’t have an account with The Hindu, please click SIGN UP OR If you already have an account with The Hindu with this email ID, please login using the email ID India to conduct random screening at airports for international passengers arriving from China, other countries: Government sources In view of a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in China and some other countries, the [Union Health Minister on December 21 reviewed the situation in the country]( and asked people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and get vaccinated. “COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. [Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya chairs a meeting with senior officials and experts on the COVID-19 situation.] Meanwhile, random sample testing for coronavirus will be conducted at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries in view of the recent surge in cases in some parts of the world, official sources told PTI. The move comes following the meeting chaired by Mandaviya. “Random sample testing will be done for international air passengers arriving from various countries including China,” a source said. Three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China’s current surge of COVID cases, have been detected in India so far, official sources said. BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5 and has the strongest infection ability since it is highly transmissible, has a shorter incubation period, and has a higher capacity to cause reinfection or infect even those vaccinated. The first case of BF.7 in India was detected in October by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. So far, two cases have been reported from Gujarat while one case has been reported from Odisha, they said. According to official sources in New Delhi, Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, mostly BF.7 which is the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contributing to a wider surge of COVID infections in that country. “The BF.7’s high transmissibility in China might be attributed to a low level of immunity in the Chinese population from the previous infection and possibly vaccination too,” an official source said. BF.7 has already been detected in several other countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and European nations such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark. During the meeting, attended by experts and senior officials, the Minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario, including the preparedness of all stakeholders. Noting that only 27% to 28% of India’s eligible population have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr. V.K. Paul, after the meeting, said people should take the jab and also wear masks in crowded places. Dr. Paul urged people not to panic and said that there was no change in the guidelines for international air travel so far. “People should wear masks in crowded areas. Those with comorbidities and old should especially adhere to this,” Dr. Paul said. The government will again hold a meeting next week to monitor the situation. Underlining the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries across the world such as China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States, Mandaviya noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in view of the upcoming festive season. He directed for strengthening of the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure the timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures. States/UTs have been requested to send samples of all COVID-19 positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any, a Health Ministry statement said. In a presentation, the Minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a steady decline in cases with average daily cases falling to 158 in the week ending December 19, 2022. However, a consistent rise in global daily average cases has been reported for the last six weeks, with 5.9 lakh daily average cases reported in the week ending December 19, 2022. A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant is behind a wider surge of COVID infections in China, the statement said. Opposition parties stage protest in Parliament premises demanding a discussion on Chinese aggression in Arunachal AAP leader Sanjay Singh on December 21 [took a dig at the government]( for not discussing in Parliament the border tension with China, saying the ruling dispensation shows its “56-inch chest” to farmers but it becomes “0.56 inch before China”. The AAP and several other Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Janata Dal(United), staged a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Parliament premises, demanding a discussion on the border tension and the latest Chinese aggression in Arunachal Pradesh. “The government is answerable to the people of this country and to parliament on the issue of tensions at the LAC [Line of Actual Control]. This government boasts of its 56-inch chest in front of protesting farmers but it becomes 0.56 inch before China,” Singh told reporters. “Import from China is increasing. Why the government is doing so? Our soldiers sacrificed their lives for safeguarding borders. Then why the government is promoting trade with China?” he asked. Since the Winter Session started on December 7, Opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the India-China border tensions and the Chinese transgressions. Before the start of the proceedings of the Parliament on December 21, 12 Opposition parties including the Congress, the CPI, the CPI-M, the RJD, the JDU, the Shiv Sena, the DMK and the NCP protested in front of the Gandhi statue, demanding a discussion on India-China border tensions. Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar rejects two notices under Rule 267 Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on December 21 [did not accept two notices on the border issue with China and rising prices of essential commodities under Rule 267 of the House]( saying they were not in order. However, he assured the Opposition members that he would invoke Rule 267 on merits. The chairman had given a similar assurance to the MPs while rejecting six notices under Rule 267 on December 20. Under Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha’s Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business, a listed business of the day can be suspended to take up an urgent matter with the approval of the Chair. After the listed papers were laid on the table of the House during the Zero Hour, Dhankar said he has received notices from Dola Sen (TMC) and Pramod Tiwari (Congress) for suspension of rules under Rule 267. “The same is not in order,” he said on Sen’s notice on rising prices of essential commodities. Tiwari’s notice was on concern over illegal and unprovoked Chinese transgressions in Depsang Plains and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Dhankhar said the notice of Tiwari was lacking in every element of Rule 267. Observing that his predecessors have invoked Rule 267 during their respective tenures, the Chairman said the number has never been in double digits during their five-year tenure. “But I am not a statistics-driven person. If there will be an occasion, I will invoke the rule. If there will be no occasion, I will not invoke it...,” he said. Dhankhar also noted that on December 12 he had requested leaders of parties to allocate seats among their members for the sake of convenience and for compliance with rules in identifying from which seat the member whose name has been called is speaking. “I am constrained to observe that my request has not drawn the desired attention till date,” he said and added parties including the Congress, the AAP, the TRS, the Shiv Sena, and the JDU are yet to allocate seats amongst their members. He asked the parties concerned to forward the details without any further delay to the table during the course of the day. No plans to reduce age of consent: Centre [Government has no plans to reduce the age of consent for consensual relationships]( the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question whether the government is considering changing the age of consent for consensual relationships to 16 years from the present 18 years, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said the question “does not arise”. The minister said the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 enacted to safeguard children from sexual abuse and sexual offences clearly defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Act was further amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment, including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators and prevent such crimes against children. “In case of commission of offence by child, Section 34 under POCSO Act already provides procedure in case of commission of offence by child and determination of age by Special Court,” the Minister said. “If any question arises in any proceeding before the Special Court whether a person is a child or not, such question shall be determined by the Special Court after satisfying itself about the age of such person and it shall record in writing its reasons for such determination,” Irani said. The minister added that The Majority Act, 1875, which was amended in 1999, provides 18 years as the age for attainment of majority. In reply to another written question on child marriages, the Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that number of cases of child marriages reported has increased over the last few years as per the data of National Crime Records Bureau, but added that it does not necessarily reflect increase in the number of cases of child marriages, but may be because of increased awareness. In 2019, 523 cases of child marriage were reported, in 2020 it was 785, and in 2021, it was 1050. “Higher reporting of cases does not necessarily reflect increase in the number of cases of child marriages, but it may be because of increased awareness among citizens to report such incidents due to initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Women Helpline (181) and Childline (1098) implemented by the Ministry and better enforcement of law by states/Union Territories,” Irani said. Sepp Blatter criticises Gianni Infantino’s plans for FIFA World Cup formats Former FIFA president S[epp Blatter is criticising successor Gianni Infantino’s plans for a 48-team World Cup]( and an expanded Club World Cup. In an interview with German weekly Die Zeit released Wednesday, Blatter said that “what is happening at the moment is an overcommercialization of the game.” “There are attempts to squeeze more and more out of the lemon — for example with the World Cup finals with 48 teams or now with a Club World Cup that must be viewed as direct competition to the Champions League,” he was quoted as saying. “FIFA is encroaching here on something that is actually none of its business, club soccer.” The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be the first 48-nation tournament, meeting Infantino’s election pledge of a bigger and more inclusive World Cup going beyond European and South American teams. This year’s tournament in Qatar featured 32 teams. Earlier this month, Infantino called for a 32-team men’s Club World Cup in 2025. Blatter announced in June 2015 that he would resign early as FIFA president, in the fallout from a sprawling corruption investigation. He has long denied wrongdoing, saying in Wednesday’s interview that “I have never taken money that I didn’t earn — that’s why nothing on me could ever be proven in all the proceedings against me. And that will remain the case.” Infantino, a fellow Swiss, succeeded Blatter in 2016. Blatter told Die Zeit that he has “no relationship with Infantino” and that the current president “behaved disrespectfully because he has refused any contact with me since his election.” Blatter added that “he only communicates with me via lawyers.” Blatter claimed that he had repeatedly “tried to control the business,” for example in attempting to limit transfers of talented South American or African players to Europe. An attempt to introduce a pay cap for players also failed. Blatter said “we didn’t manage to protect soccer from economic and political influence.” “I really tried always to serve soccer,” he said. “If in doing so I damaged it, then I am sorry.” In Brief: At least [five people were killed and more than 70,000 rushed to evacuation centres in Malaysia]( after monsoon-triggered floods inundated the country’s north, authorities said Wednesday. More than 31,000 people have fled their homes in Kelantan state while more than 39,000 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters in neighbouring Terengganu after flooding began over the weekend, the official Bernama news agency said. Emergency services officials said a total of five people had been killed. “The water levels reached almost three metres (10 feet),” Muhammad Ameenudin Badrul Hisyam from Kuala Krai district in Kelantan told AFP, as he cleared debris from his home after a nearby river overflowed and forced his family to flee. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. Interested in Science? 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