New coronavirus strain: Govt issues SOPs for UK flyers; separate isolation for those with mutant strain

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing threat all around the globe since March 2020 but even the end of the year got more complicated as a new mutant has been discovered in the United Kingdom. The UK believes there are still too many unknowns when it comes to this 'mutated' version of coronavirus.

The new strain is named VUI-202012/01 (the first 'Variant Under Investigation' in December 2020), also known as lineage B.1.1.7, and is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations.

Experts fear this virus affects young people more seriously. Changes in this part of spike protein may, in theory, result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people. The Health Ministry Tuesday released a new standard operating procedure (SOP) in view of the new strain of coronavirus being detected in the UK.

"This variant is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) to be more transmissible and affecting younger population. This variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations. One of the most significant is an N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people," the ministry said in a document released today.

The ministry said SOPs are now required to be followed at all entry points into the country and within the community with regard to air passengers who have travelled from or transited through the UK in the past four weeks starting from November 25 to December 23.

The Health Ministry stated with regard to SOPs to be followed by state governments: "All the contacts (without any exception) of those travellers who arrived at various airports on 21-23 December 2020 and tested positive would be subjected to institutional quarantine in separate quarantine centers and would be tested as per ICMR guidelines."

SOPs issued-

1. If people coming to India from Britain between December 21 to 23 are found positive with the new strain of coronavirus, then they will have to undergo a separate test. This will be the responsibility of the state government.

2. All international travellers are required to declare travel history of the past 14 days and fill up a Self-Declaration Form to be screened at airports for COVID-19 using the RT-PCR test.

3. The people found positive with the new strain will be kept in the Isolation Center of the state government. The samples will be sent to NIV Pune.

4. If the current COVID-19 strain is found in an infected person, home isolation will be administered given the severity. 

5. However, if the new variant is found, then the person will have to spend 14 days in the Government Isolation Center. After that, the test will be done again.

6. The person will only be discharged after the sample is tested negative twice in 24 hours interval.

7. From November 25 till now, the Bureau of Immigration will give information about people coming from Britain to India to the respective state governments.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated Monday that the government has decided that all flights originating from the UK to India shall be temporarily suspended till 11:59 pm, December 31. "This suspension to start w.e.f. 11.59 pm, 22nd December. Consequently, flights from India to UK shall stand temporarily suspended during above said period," it said.