Lok Sabha Question No. 2648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: Quarantined Indian Passengers from China
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kirti Vardhan Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2648 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH MARCH, 2020

## QUARANTINED INDIAN P ASSENGERS FROM CHINA

## 2648. SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH:

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

- (a) the number of passengers de - boarded in India from China in the last two months i.e. since the outbreak of Coronavirus infection in China;
- (b) the number of people quarantined and kep t in quarantine wards by ITBP and other agencies, city - wise;
- (c) the number of people who have been listed positive, city - wise;
- (d) the various steps being taken by the Government to prevent the endemic nature of this virus in our country; and
- (e)whether the country is prepared to take up the challenge in case of an endemic situation and if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?

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

(a) to (c): On  1 st and  2 nd February,  20 20,  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, repor negative for COVID - 19 and were di scharged 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.

As on 04.03.2020, a total of 6,11,167 incoming passengers of 6,241 flights have been screened. Cumulatively, a total of 28,529 passengers were placed under community surveill in  the  Country  through  Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme  (IDSP)  network.  So  f 1,364 passengers were found to be symptomatic and referred to IDSP surveillance network. Ti 04.03.2020, 29 confirmed cases of COVID - 19 disease have been reported in the Country, out of which three patients have recovered and discharged from the hospital.

(d) & (e):   G overnment has taken note of the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID - 19) in China and has initiated steps to monitor the situation in India and prevent its outbreak i follows:

- I. Screening of passengers has been initiated at all 21 airports. U niversal screening has been made mandatory for all flights from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysi Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Italy. Instructions have issued to park these flights at earmarked aero - bridges to facilitate screening. Screening has also been initiated at all 12 major and 65 minor sea - ports and minor - ports wherein crew and passengers from China are expected. Besides this, screening has been init in  border  crossings.  Arrangement  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 conven of passengers.  First Travel advisory was issu ed on 17 th January 2020 and as situation is evolving, the travel advisories are accordingly getting revised. Extant advisories that:
2. (i) All  Regular  /  eVisas  issued  to  nationals  of  Italy,  Iran,  South  Korea  and issued on or before March 03, 202 0 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.
3. (ii) Regular  /  eVisa  issued  to  nationals  of  Peoples  Republic  of  China  issued  on before February 05, 2020 were suspended earlier, which shall remain in force.
4. (iii) Those requiring to t ravel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh vis from the nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate.
5. (iv) Regular  /  eVisas  issued  to  all  other  foreign  nationals  who  have  travelle Peoples  Republic  of  China,  Iran,  Italy,  South  Korea  and  Japan,  on  or  af ter February  01,  2020  and  who  have  not  yet  entered  India,  stand  suspended  wit immediate effect.
6. (v) All foreign and Indian nationals entering into India from any port, are requi furnish duly filled self - declaration form including personal particulars a nd travel history to Health officials and Immigration officials at all ports.
7. (vi) Passengers (foreign and Indian) arriving directly or indirectly from China, Korea,  Japan,  Iran,  Italy,  Hong  Kong,  Vietnam,  Malaysia,  Indonesia,  Nepal Thailand, Singapore must undergo medical screening at port of entry.
8. 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 Ebola and Coronavirus. They have been equipped with personal protective equipment. Thermal  scanners  and  hand  held  thermal  detectors  have  been  placed  at  21  airpor Additional  doctors,  nurses  and  paramedic  staff  have  been  deployed  at  the  airport smooth, effective and convenient scree ning of passengers.
- III. Guidelines  on  clinical  management,  infection  prevention  control,  surveillance sampling  etc.  have  been  disseminated  to  the  States  and  also  made  available  on website of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The risk is communicat throughmedia including social media.
10. IV.Government of India has also initiated a series of action to prevent entry of the and to contain it. A group of ministers consisting of Minister of External Affairs, Minis 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 Hea Minister has been constituted and 3 meetings have been held on 03.02.2020, 13.02.2 and 02.03.2020. Cabinet Secretary h as taken series of meetings with all related Ministrie such  as  Health,  Defence,  External  Affairs,  Civil  Aviation,  Home,  Textiles,  Pha Commerce and other officials including with State Chief Secretaries. Ministry of H and  Family  Welfare  is  constan tly  reviewing  the  evolving  scenario.  Series  of  Video Conferences have been held with Chief Secretaries and also with Secretaries, Heal the States / Union Territories (UTs).
- V. Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme  (IDSP)  has  been  geared  up  to  trac k  and follow up passengers coming from the affected countries particularly China, Hong Ko Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Iran Italy.  Government  have  made  arrangements  for  testing  of  samples  at  the  Natio nal Institute  of  Virology  (NIV),  Pune  and  14  other  Viral  Research  &  Diagnosti Laboratories (VRDLs) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in differen parts  of  the  Country.  Adequate  laboratory  reagents  are  available  to  test  upto samples.Sufficient  stock  of  Personal  Protective  Equipments  (PPEs)  is  maintained. 24x7 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.
12. VI.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 manage any case that might get imported to India. World Health Organisation (WHO) being r epresented in the JMG is providing Ministry with regular updates and techni information.
- VII.  Senior officers of the Ministry of Health & family Welfare have been deputed t States / UTs to review the management of COVID - 19 in each State / UT.
14. V III.  Guidelines on Clinical Management of severe respiratory illness (SARI) in sus confirmed COVID- 19 cases, Surveillance for human infection with COVID - 19, Infection Prevention and Control in healthcare facilities, etc. have been placed in public d omain on the website of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at web - link https://mohfw.gov.in/node/4904 .
- IX.        To  check  travel  related  transmission  of  COVID - 19,  all  incoming  passengers  are mandatorily requ ired to fill self - dec aration form at the port of entry in India.
- VIII.     Government is issuing Press Releases on regular basis. Information about advisory and other pertinent issues is also being shared on social media.

In  the  light  of  evolving situation,  Government  of  India  and  State  Governments  are working in close coordination to manage any eventuality arising out of the COVID - 19.