Lok Sabha Question No. 95 (STARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Screening of Coronavirus Cases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed, Dushyant Singh

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 95 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH FEBRUARY, 2020 SCREENING OF CORONAV IRUS CASES

## *95. SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED: SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the outbreak of Coronavirus China and the reports indicating its proliferation in India particularly adjoi ning Chinese borders;
- (b) whether the Government has issued advisory to screen the passengers f China  at  our  ports  of  entry  for  symptoms  of  pneumonia  and  also  a  separ travel advisory for China, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Governme t has conducted any training to sensitize and equi the personnel at our ports of entry in identifying Coronavirus carrying pe so, the details thereof along with the symptoms and testing methods;
- (d) whether Government has published any guidelines for seeking speciali medical  attention  in  the  event  of  individuals  displaying  discomfort  mat symptoms of those affected by the Coronavirus and if so, the details th and
- (e) the measures pr oposed to be taken to protect the country from such outbre of viruses?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to ( e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 95 FOR 7 TH FEBRUARY, 2020

(a) Yes. Government has taken note of the outbreak of Corona Virus in Ch and  has  initiated  steps  to  monitor  the  situation  in  India.  As  of  now confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus disease have been reported from Kerala.

(b) & (c) Screening of passengers has been initiated at all 21 airports. U screening  has  been  made  mandatory  for  all  flights  from  China,  Hong  Kon Singapore and Thailand. Instructions have been issued to park these flig t earmarked aero - bridges to facilitate screening. Screening has also been init at all major sea ports and minor ports wherein crew and passengers from C are expected. Besides this, screening has been initiated in border crossin

First  Travel  adv isory  was  issued  on  17 th January  2020  and  as  situation  is evolving, the travel advisories are accordingly getting revised. Extant ad provide that:

- (i) Existing visas (including eVisa already issued) are no longer vali any foreign national trave lling from China to India.
- (ii) People having compelling reasons to visit India may contact Indi Embassy in Beijing or Indian Consulates in Shanghai or Guangzhou.
- (iii)People  have  already  been  advised  to  refrain  from  travel  to  Ch through an earlier advisory. Pe ople traveling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return.

The government has conducted training for the officers of ports, airpor border crossing points and has sensitized them on management of higher pathogens  such  as  Ebola  and  Coronavi rus.  They  have  been  equipped  with personal  protective  equipment.  Thermal  scanners  and  hand  held  therm detectors  have  been  placed  at  21  airports.  Additional  doctors,  nurse paramedic staff have been deployed at the airports for smooth, effectiv convenient screening of passengers.

(d) Guidelines on clinical management, infection prevention cont surveillance and sampling etc. have been disseminated to the States and made  available  on  the  website  of  the  Union  Ministry  of  Health  and  Fam

Welfare.  An  information  pamphlet  providing  relevant  information  is  a provided  to  the  passengers  wherein  they  can  talk  to  the  call  centre  at -23978046) in case the passengers develop sign and symptoms of the disease. -flight  announcements  are  being made  and  self - declaration  forms  are  being filled up by all passengers. Signages have been displayed at prominent loc at airports and ports. The risk is communicated through media including s media.

(e) Government of India has initiated a series of action to prevent entry disease and to contain it. A group of ministers consisting of Minister of Externa Affairs, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State of Home Affairs, M of State of Hea lth and Family welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the C hairmanship  of  Union  Health  Minister  has  been  constituted  and  the  f meeting  held  on  03.02.2020.  Cabinet  Secretary  has  taken  multiple  meeti with  all  related  Ministries  such  as  Health,  D efense,  MEA,  Civil  Aviation, Home,  Textiles,  Pharma,  Commerce  and  other  officials  including  with  Sta Chief  Secretaries.  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  is  consta reviewing the evolving scenario. Video Conferences has been held with Ch Secret aries and also with Secretaries, Health of the States almost every al day.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has been geared up t track and follow up passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.  National  Institute  o f  Vir logy,  Pune , is  the  nodal  Laboratory  for testing  high  risk  pathogens.  10  other  laboratories  are  also  testing  s Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) is maintained. A Control  Room  has  been  activated.  Rapid  Response  Teams (RRTs)  of  the States/UTs have already been trained in management of MERS - CoV outbreak and Ebola Virus Disease. Government is monitoring the situation closely.