Centre cautions states as new Covid variant detected in South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to additional chief secretaries or



principal secretaries or secretaries (Health) of all states and UTs, stating "multiple cases" of a COVID-19 variant B.1.1529 have been reported in the three countries. He asked all states and Union territories to conduct rigorous screening and testing of all international travellers coming from or transiting through South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana.