Lok Sabha Question No. 2709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: Status of Surveillance of Evacuated Indians
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Adoor Prakash, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Rahul Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2709 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH MARCH, 2020

## STATUS OF SURVEILLAN CE OF EVACUATED INDI ANS

## 2709. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

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

- (a) the number of persons under surveillance/ observation for COVID - 19 till date in India along withthe present status thereof;
- (b)  the total  number  of  Indians  evacuated  from Wuhan  and  other  affected  areas  along  with number ofpeople yet to be evacuated;
- (c) the details of assistance extended to the States/ UTs in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any risk assessment of COVID - 19 outbreak and the measurestaken to mitigate and contain its transmission and to meet any potential surge in the demand for testing for COVID - 19;
- (e) whether the Government of India is providing any assistance to foreign countries to contain t he COVID -19 outbreak, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether any specific programme or assistance is being provided to the States/UTs including Kerala to mitigate the COVID - 19, if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b) : As on 05.03.2020, a total of 29,607 persons are reportedly under observation Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for COVID - 19.

On  1 st and  2 nd February,  2020,  a  total  of  654  passengers  were  brought  from  Wuhan, China  and  kept  for  14  days'  quarantine  in  Army  Camp,  Manesar  and  Indo - Tibetan  Boarder Police (ITBP) Camp at Chhawla (Delhi). These evacuees were tested twice, reported negative COVID - 19 and were discharged on 17 th and 18 th February, 2020.

On 27 th February, 2020, 112 persons (76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals) have be evacuated  from  Wuhan,  China  and  kept  for  mandatory  14  days'  quarantine  at  Army  Camp,

Manesar.124 (119 Indians and 5 foreign nationals) have been evacuated from Japan and kept mandatory 14 days' quarantine at ITBP Camp, Chhawla (Delhi). All these 236 passengers have been tested and reported negative for COVID - 19.

(c) to (f) : Government of Ind ia mounted a relief assistance flight to Wuhan on 26.02.2020 with  an  Indian  Air  Force  C - 17  Globemaster  aircraft,  which  brought  over  15  tons  of  medical assistance  comprising  masks,  gloves  and  other  emergency  medical  equipment  for  Chines healthcare professi onals. Assistance to Iran has also been provided by sending one scientis establish a diagnostic laboratory and test COVID -19 samples at Tehran, Iran. Further, few samples from Maldives have also been tested in India.

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 18th Jan uary 2020. I itially airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi were cover 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, South Korea,  Japan,  Iran,  Italy,  Hong  Kong,  Vietnam,  Malaysia,  Indonesia,  Nepal,  Thailand Singapore. Now, directions have also been issued for Universal Screening for all intern passengers coming in the coun try. Signages have been displayed at prominent places in airport and ports, In -flight announcements are being made and self - eclaration forms are being filled up by all passengers. As on 4th March, a total of 6,241 flights have been screened covering otal of  6,11,167  passengers.  Teams  of  Specialist  doctors  were  sent  to  all  the  airports  to effective  screening  and  arrangement  for  isolation  in  the  attached  hospitals.  Besid 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  guidanc 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 provide that:

- (i) All Regular / eVisas issued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan issu before  Marc h  03,  2020  and  who  have  not  yet  entered  India,  stand  suspended  with immediate effect.
- (ii) Regular  /  eVisa  issued  to  nationals  of  Peoples  Republic  of  China  issued  on  or  b February 05, 2020 were suspended earlier, which shall remain in force.
- (iii) Those requi ring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa fro nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate.
- (iv) Regular  /  eVisas  issued  to  all  other  foreign  nationals  who  have  travelled  to  P Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan, on or after February 01, 2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.
- (v) All foreign and Indian nationals entering into India from any port, are required to duly  filled  self - declaration  form  including  personal  part iculars  and  travel  history  to Health officials and Immigration officials at all ports.
- (vi) Passengers (foreign and Indian) arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, S ingapore must undergo medical screening at port 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. T hey have been equipped with personal protective equipment. Additional doctor nurses  and  paramedic  staff  have  been  deployed  at  the  airports  for  smooth,  effectiv convenient screening of passengers.

III. Guidelines  on  clinical  management,  infection  prevention  control,  surveillance 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 media including social media.

IV. Government of India has also initiated a series of action to prevent entry of the 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 Health and Family Welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the chairmanship of Union Health Mini has been constituted. Meetings of GoM have been held on 03.02.2020, 13.02.2020, 02.03.20 and  04.03.2020. Cabinet  Secretary  has  taken  series  of  meetings  with  all  related  Ministr Departments  such  as  Health,  Defence,  External  Affairs,  Civil  Aviation,  Home,  Texti Pharmaceuticals, Commerce.

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

VI. Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme  (IDSP)  has  been  geared  up  to  track  an follow  up  passengers  coming  from  the  affected  countries  particularly China,  Hong  Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Government have made arrangements for testing of samples at the National Institute of Vir (NIV), Pune and 14 other Viral Research & Diagno stics Laboratories (VRDLs) of the Indian Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  in  different  parts  of  the  Country.  Adequate  labora reagents are available to test samples. Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipmen is maintained. A 24x7 Contro l 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.

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 India. World Health Organisation (WHO), being r epresented 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.

I X.     Press releases are being issued on regular basis. Information about travel adv other pertinent issues is also being shared on social media.

Government is monitoring the situation closely.