Lok Sabha Question No. 3225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-13
Subject: Development of Vaccine for Coronavirus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Rakesh Singh, Thomas Chazhikadan, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3225 TH

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 MARCH, 2020

## DEVELOPMENT OF VACCI NE FOR CORONAVIRUS

## 3225. SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY:

SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of Coronavirus  affecting  many  countries  and reported deaths world over, if so, the details thereof along with the number of countries and number of deaths reported;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to promote any research institute to work on the va against the COVID - 19, if so, the details thereof along with the progress made and the tim which the vaccine is likely to be made available;
- (c) whether there is any threat of the spread of Coronavirus in the country, if so, the thereof;
- (d)  whether  any  public  health  policy  targeting  the  said  issue  has  been  formulated,  if details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  Stat e of Kerala has successfully prevented the spreading of Coronavirus, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a)  to  (e ) : As  per  World  Health  Organization  (WHO)  r eport  dated  11.03.2020,  a  total  of 1,18,322 confirmed cases and 4,292 deaths due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID - 19) have been reported from 113 countries/territories.

As on 12 th March, 2020, a total of 73 positive cases have been reported in India. Ou this,  3  cases  of  Indian  nationals  were  reported  in  Kerala,  who  have  since  recovere discharged from the hospital.

World  Health  Organization  (WHO)  has  declared Novel  Coronavi rus  (COVID- 19) 'pandemic' on 11.03.2020.

Government has taken note of the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID - 19) in China and  has  initiated  steps  to  monitor  the  situation  in  all  States  /  Union  Territories  (U country including Kerala, as follows :

- I. Screening of passengers was initiated in the country since 18 th January 2020. Initially airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru , Hyderabad and Kochi were covered and  subsequently  expanded  in  a  total  of  21  airports.  As  per  the  evolving  situation, Universal Screening was taken up for all passengers coming via direct flights from China, Korea,  Japan,  Iran,  Italy,  Hong Kong,  Vietnam,  Malaysia,  Indonesia,  Nepal,  Thailand  and Singapore. Now, directions have also been issued for Universal Screening for all intern passengers coming in the country. Signages have been displayed at prominent places in ai and ports , In -flight announcements are being made and self - eclaration forms are being filled up by all passengers. Teams of Specialist doctors were sent to all the airports to ensure screening  and  arrangement  for  isolation  in  the  attached  hospitals.  Bes ides  this,  screening  has been initiated in border crossings. Arrangements have been made for in - flight announcements in incoming flights, filling of self - declaration forms by incoming passengers. Signages have been displayed  at  prominent  locations  at  ports and  airports  for  guidance  and  convenience  of passengers. First Travel advisory was issued on 17 th January 2020 and as situation is evolving, the travel advisories are accordingly getting revised. Extant advisories provide that:
2. (i) All existing visas (exce pt diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment,  project  visas)  stand  suspended  till  15th  April  2020.  This  will  come effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.
3. (ii) Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card ho lders is kept in abeyance till 15th April 2020.  This  will  come  into  effect  from  1200  GMT  on  13thMarch  2020  at  the  port  o departure.
4. (iii) OCI card holders already in India can stay in India as long as they want.
5. (iv) Visas  of  all  foreigners  already  in  India  remain  v lid nd they may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc. of their visa or grant of any consular service, if they choose to do so.
6. (v) Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contac t the nearest Indian Mission.
7. (vi) In addition to Visa restrictions already in place, passengers traveling from /havin Italy or Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need certificate of tested negative for COVID - 19 from the desig nated laboratories authorized by the health authorities of these countries. This is in enforcement since 0000 hrs. of 10th Marc and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID - 19 subside.
8. (vii) All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy,  Iran,  Republic  of  Korea,  France,  Spain  and  Germany  after  15th  February,  2

shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.

- (viii) Incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non - essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on arrival in India.
- (ix) Indian  nationals  are  further  strongly  advised  to  refrain  from  travell g t  China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany.
- (x) All incoming international passengers returning to India should self -monitor their health and follow required do's and don'ts as detailed by the Government.
- (xi) All  international Passeng ers entering into India are required to furnish duly filled -declaration form in duplicate (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and ad India)  to  Health  Officials  and  Immigration  officials  and  undergo  Universal  He Screening at the designated health counters at all Points of Entry.

II. The  government  has  conducted  training  for  the  officers  of  ports,  airports  and  b crossing points and has sensitized them on management of high risk pathogens such as Ebola Coronavirus. They ha ve been equipped with personal protective equipment. Additional doctors nurses  and  paramedic  staff  have  been  deployed  at  the  airports  for  smooth,  effectiv convenient screening of passengers.

III. Guidelines  on  clinical  management,  infection  preventi on  control,  surveillance  and sampling etc. have been disseminated to the States and also made available on the website Union  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare.  The  risk  is  communicated  through  medi including social media.

IV. Government of In dia has also initiated a series of action to prevent entry of the d and  to  contain  it. A  Group  of  Ministers  (GoM)  consisting  of  Minister  of  External  Affairs Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State of Home Affairs, Minister of State of Hea nd Family Welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the chairmanship of Union Health Mini has been constituted. Meetings of GoM are conducted on regular basis. Cabinet Secretary taken  series  of  meetings  with  all  related  Ministries  /  Departments such  as  Health,  Defence, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Commerce.

V. Central Government has engaged all the State Governments, on a continuous basis, in e for  management  of  COVID - 19.  Cabinet  Secretary  has  also  tak en  meetings  with  State  Chief Secretaries.  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  is  constantly  reviewing  the  evo scenario.  Series  of  Video  Conferences  have  been  held  with  Chief  Secretaries  and  also Secretaries, Health of the States / (Union Territ ories (UTs).

VI. Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme (IDSP)  has  been  geared  up  to  track  and follow  up  passengers  coming  from  the  affected  countries  particularly  China,  Hong  Ko Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Iran and

Government have made arrangements f or testing of samples at the National Institute of Virolo (NIV), Pune and 14 other Viral Research & Diagnostics Laboratories (VRDLs) of the Indi Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  in  different  parts  of  the  Country.  Adequate  labora reagents are avai lable to test samples. Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipments ( is maintained. A 24x7 Control Room has been activated. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) of th States /UTs have already been trained in management of MERS - CoV outbreak and Ebola Vir us Disease.

- VII. The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) under the Chairmanship of DGHS has held series of meetings to assess the risk and review the preparedness and response mechanisms to manage case that might get imported to In dia. WHO, being represented in the JMG is providing Ministry with regular updates and technical information.
- VIII.  Senior  officers  of  the  Ministry  of  Health  &  family  Welfare  have  been  deputed  to States / UTs to review the management of COVID - 19 in each State / UT.
- IX.     Pre ss releases are being issued on regular basis. Information about travel adviso other pertinent issues is also being shared on social media.

Government is monitoring the situation closely.

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