The Indian government, on Wednesday (July 19) said that starting Thursday, July 20, the RT-PCR based testing requirement for international travellers to India will be dropped amid the decline of COVID-19 cases in the country. The decision was taken given the “significant achievements” made in the vaccination coverage across the world, said the Union Health Ministry.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the health ministry say?</h2>

The earlier requirements for RT-PCR based testing of a random two per cent subset of international travellers to India have been dropped, said the health ministry. The new guidelines will take effect starting at 12:00 am (local time) on 20 July, 2023.&nbsp;

However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures should continue to be followed in the context of COVID-19 by airlines as well as international travellers, said the Indian government.&nbsp;

<h2>Revised guidelines&nbsp;</h2>

The Union Ministry of Health also released the revised guidelines for international travellers which said that it is advisable for international passengers to be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their country.

The guidelines also include measures and protocols for travellers while on flight and deboarding. The airlines are required to make in-flight announcements regarding&nbsp;COVID-19 and the precautionary measures that passengers should follow like preferable use of masks and following physical distancing, while travelling.&nbsp;

The health ministry also said that if any passenger has symptoms of COVID-19 during travel they should be isolated and asked to follow standard protocol – wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers. They should then be shifted to an isolation facility, subsequently, for follow-up treatment.

After deboarding, the passengers should ensure physical distance, said the Indian health ministry. Thermal scanning should be conducted by health officials present at the point of entry and passengers found to be symptomatic during screening should be immediately isolated, the guidelines added.&nbsp;

Subsequently, they should be taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol. “All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19,” said the Union health ministry.&nbsp;

<h2>India records over 1,400 active cases</h2>

The health ministry, on Wednesday, said India had logged 49 new COVID-19 cases taking the total tally of active cases to 1,464 from 1,453, reported a day prior. Additionally, the recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent. 
 
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The Indian government, on Wednesday (July 19) said that starting Thursday, July 20, the RT-PCR based testing requirement for international travellers to India will be dropped amid the decline of COVID-19 cases in the country.

The Indian government, on Wednesday (July 19) said that starting Thursday, July 20, the RT-PCR based testing requirement for international travellers to India will be dropped amid the decline of COVID-19 cases in the country. The decision was taken given the “significant achievements” made in the vaccination coverage across the world, said the Union Health Ministry. What did the health ministry say? The earlier requirements for RT-PCR based testing of a random two per cent subset of international travellers to India have been dropped, said the health ministry. The new guidelines will take effect starting at 12:00 am (local time) on 20 July, 2023. However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures should continue to be followed in the context of COVID-19 by airlines as well as international travellers, said the Indian government. Revised guidelines The Union Ministry of Health also released the revised guidelines for international travellers which said that it is advisable for international passengers to be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their country. The guidelines also include measures and protocols for travellers while on flight and deboarding. The airlines are required to make in-flight announcements regarding COVID-19 and the precautionary measures that passengers should follow like preferable use of masks and following physical distancing, while travelling. The health ministry also said that if any passenger has symptoms of COVID-19 during travel they should be isolated and asked to follow standard protocol – wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers. They should then be shifted to an isolation facility, subsequently, for follow-up treatment. After deboarding, the passengers should ensure physical distance, said the Indian health ministry. Thermal scanning should be conducted by health officials present at the point of entry and passengers found to be symptomatic during screening should be immediately isolated, the guidelines added. Subsequently, they should be taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol. “All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19,” said the Union health ministry. India records over 1,400 active cases The health ministry, on Wednesday, said India had logged 49 new COVID-19 cases taking the total tally of active cases to 1,464 from 1,453, reported a day prior. Additionally, the recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian government eases COVID-19 testing rules for international travellers

As the primary pandemic indicators in the country continues to climb, Italy on Thursday (June 30), amended new coronavirus health measures in the workplace.&nbsp; As per the new regulations developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and the Ministry of Health, wearing masks will be made mandatory for people who face certain health concerns or are in places where infections could be raised.These modification in guidelines comes after the Covid situation in Italy got worse recently. The guidelines encourage “smart working” which includes working from home rather, as well as staggered entry, exit times for employees in workplace and common places such as changing rooms and food dispensaries, reported by ANI.

Employees with body temperatures over 37.5 degrees Celsius are prohibited from accessing workplaces as per the guidelines issued for private organisations. Any employee who exhibits flu-like symptoms is obligated to notify his or her employer “timely.”

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The country recorded more than 83,000 cases on Thursday (June 30) and over 94,000 cases on Wednesday (June 29).&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Italy's heat wave to get worse

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Gimbe Foundation, a health monitoring organisation issued a report on Thursday (June 30) as per which the Covid infections throughout the country increased by over 50 per cent during previous week. The organisation also noted on the basis of data released by Health Ministry that the throughout the same time period, the hospitalisation got increased by 25 per cent.&nbsp;

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In the meantime, the weekly fatality rate increased by 16 per cent and the number of patients in intensive care units increased by 15 per cent.&nbsp;

However, the primary indices are still below the peaks reached earlier in the pandemic.

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(With inputs from agencies)

As the primary pandemic indicators in the country continues to climb, Italy on Thursday (June 30), amended new coronavirus health measures in the workplace. As per the new regulations developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and the Ministry of Health, wearing masks will be made mandatory for people who face certain health concerns or are in places where infections could be raised.

As the primary pandemic indicators in the country continues to climb, Italy on Thursday (June 30), amended new coronavirus health measures in the workplace. As per the new regulations developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and the Ministry of Health, wearing masks will be made mandatory for people who face certain health concerns or are in places where infections could be raised.These modification in guidelines comes after the Covid situation in Italy got worse recently. The guidelines encourage “smart working” which includes working from home rather, as well as staggered entry, exit times for employees in workplace and common places such as changing rooms and food dispensaries, reported by ANI. Employees with body temperatures over 37.5 degrees Celsius are prohibited from accessing workplaces as per the guidelines issued for private organisations. Any employee who exhibits flu-like symptoms is obligated to notify his or her employer “timely.” Also read | Before and after satellite images show how Italy's Po river shrunk between 2020 and 2022 The country recorded more than 83,000 cases on Thursday (June 30) and over 94,000 cases on Wednesday (June 29). Watch | Italy's heat wave to get worse Gimbe Foundation, a health monitoring organisation issued a report on Thursday (June 30) as per which the Covid infections throughout the country increased by over 50 per cent during previous week. The organisation also noted on the basis of data released by Health Ministry that the throughout the same time period, the hospitalisation got increased by 25 per cent. Also read | Abortion in Italy is legal, but finding one is hard In the meantime, the weekly fatality rate increased by 16 per cent and the number of patients in intensive care units increased by 15 per cent. However, the primary indices are still below the peaks reached earlier in the pandemic. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Italy modifies health regulations as the pandemic situation deteriorates

The US&nbsp;Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors.

In an announcement on Friday, CDC eased its guidelines on when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they can also drop them in counties experiencing low or medium COVID-19 levels.

COVID hospitalizations - a key benchmark for the new masking recommendations - continue to decline, as indicated by the latest figures.

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The CDC, while&nbsp;announcing its revised guidelines said about 70 per cent&nbsp;of US&nbsp;counties and 72 per cent&nbsp;of the US&nbsp;population resides in communities where face coverings are no longer recommended.

The agency on Thursday said 85.4 per cent of counties are now ranked as low to medium risk and about 92.9 per cent of the population lives in those counties.

However, it is&nbsp;still to be determined whether the Biden administration will extend the mask&nbsp;requirements for travelling on airplanes, trains, buses or for transit hubs.

The current transit order expires on March 18 but can be&nbsp;extended. As per the White House the issue is still being evaluated.

The guidelines announced last week shifted its focus from COVID-19 transmission rates to infection rates, local hospitalisation and hospital capacity.

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As per the earlier recommendations, only 5 per cent of the counties fell under the safe zone and could&nbsp;abandon wearing masks indoors, while&nbsp;95 per cent of were&nbsp;considered to be at risk for higher transmission.

Many federal agencies this week have told government employees that they can now stop wearing masks indoors in federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Area or in some low or medium Covid&nbsp;level areas including Pentagon, Transportation Department, Justice Department, State Department and Federal Aviation.

Watch |&nbsp;The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci

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As per an earlier&nbsp;memo, the White House had directed agencies to revise federal employee masking and testing rules number by Friday.&nbsp;

The guidance said that Federal agencies in counties with low Covid community levels do not need to regularly screen unvaccinated employees for COVID-19. This guidance covers about 3.5 million employees.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors.

The US Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors. In an announcement on Friday, CDC eased its guidelines on when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they can also drop them in counties experiencing low or medium COVID-19 levels. COVID hospitalizations - a key benchmark for the new masking recommendations - continue to decline, as indicated by the latest figures. Also read | This is how Covid could reverse all the progress made towards gender equality The CDC, while announcing its revised guidelines said about 70 per cent of US counties and 72 per cent of the US population resides in communities where face coverings are no longer recommended. The agency on Thursday said 85.4 per cent of counties are now ranked as low to medium risk and about 92.9 per cent of the population lives in those counties. However, it is still to be determined whether the Biden administration will extend the mask requirements for travelling on airplanes, trains, buses or for transit hubs. The current transit order expires on March 18 but can be extended. As per the White House the issue is still being evaluated. The guidelines announced last week shifted its focus from COVID-19 transmission rates to infection rates, local hospitalisation and hospital capacity. Also read | COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully open to travel As per the earlier recommendations, only 5 per cent of the counties fell under the safe zone and could abandon wearing masks indoors, while 95 per cent of were considered to be at risk for higher transmission. Many federal agencies this week have told government employees that they can now stop wearing masks indoors in federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Area or in some low or medium Covid level areas including Pentagon, Transportation Department, Justice Department, State Department and Federal Aviation. Watch | The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci As per an earlier memo, the White House had directed agencies to revise federal employee masking and testing rules number by Friday. The guidance said that Federal agencies in counties with low Covid community levels do not need to regularly screen unvaccinated employees for COVID-19. This guidance covers about 3.5 million employees. (With inputs from agencies)

New CDC guidelines say that more than 90% of US population doesn't need masks anymore

For the first time since the pandemic began almost two years ago, the number of daily new COVID-19 cases crossed one million worldwide.

In a first, global daily new COVID-19 cases cross one million mark since the pandemic began

The COVID-19 infections seem to have broken records in several parts of Europe in recent weeks. Governments are scrambling to bolster up their defenses against fast spreading of Omicron variant.

COVID-19 infections have broken records in parts of Europe

As COVID-19 shows no signs of stopping governments are taking strict measures to stop its rapid spread. The WHO has issued a warning ahead of the festive season. Here is the report on how the newly found Omicron COVID-19 variant is forcing governments to act.

Omicron variant surge across world, govts taking strict measures to curb spread

Omicron variant surge across world, governments taking strict measures to curb spread

In the latest study, researchers found out that antibodies developed by COVID-19 vaccines reduce more than 50 percent after six months of the second jab. The study further says that the number of antibodies developed in response to the vaccine will be determined by a person’s age or sex.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Antibodies reduce 57% after 6 months of second jab, says study

Amid growing concerns over the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, questions have once again been raised on what should be done to prevent its spread. So here's a quick recap of some of the general guidelines for you to be well prepared against the virus.

How can you protect yourself from Omicron variant?

Crowd surfing will not be permitted at concerts in Ireland and nightclub goers must form a socially distanced queue to buy drinks, under new guidelines issued by the government for recently reopened venues.

Irish nightclubs opened their doors for the first time since March 2020 last weekend, while theatres and concert venues also returned to full capacity as the government lifted most curbs that had made up one of Europe's toughest lockdown regimes.

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However with COVID-19 infection rates rising despite Ireland boasting one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, ministers scrambled to put some mitigation measures in place to minimise any further spread and keep the whole economy open.

These included telling performers they should not "partake in high-risk activities" such as crowd surfing, moving through the crowd or throwing personal items from the stage. Neither should they encourage fans to sing along, the guidelines said.

Nights out will also be less spontaneous, with anyone attending a nightclub required to buy a ticket online at least one hour in advance to assist with contact tracing, a measure club owners have been particularly critical of.

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Once inside, facemasks should be worn at all times other than when people are dancing, drinking or eating, and clubgoers must also stay one metre apart in a supervised queue at the bar to order a drink.

The measures, which include the continued requirement for vaccine certificates to gain entry to pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and indoor live entertainment venues, are likely to last until at least February, the government has said.

Crowd surfing will not be permitted at concerts in Ireland and nightclub goers must form a socially distanced queue to buy drinks, under new guidelines issued by the government for recently reopened venues.

Crowd surfing will not be permitted at concerts in Ireland and nightclub goers must form a socially distanced queue to buy drinks, under new guidelines issued by the government for recently reopened venues. Irish nightclubs opened their doors for the first time since March 2020 last weekend, while theatres and concert venues also returned to full capacity as the government lifted most curbs that had made up one of Europe's toughest lockdown regimes. Also Read | As WHO delays approval for Covaxin jab, every minute is an eternity for this Indian family However with COVID-19 infection rates rising despite Ireland boasting one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, ministers scrambled to put some mitigation measures in place to minimise any further spread and keep the whole economy open. These included telling performers they should not "partake in high-risk activities" such as crowd surfing, moving through the crowd or throwing personal items from the stage. Neither should they encourage fans to sing along, the guidelines said. Nights out will also be less spontaneous, with anyone attending a nightclub required to buy a ticket online at least one hour in advance to assist with contact tracing, a measure club owners have been particularly critical of. Also Read | Merck strikes deal for global access to Covid drug Once inside, facemasks should be worn at all times other than when people are dancing, drinking or eating, and clubgoers must also stay one metre apart in a supervised queue at the bar to order a drink. The measures, which include the continued requirement for vaccine certificates to gain entry to pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and indoor live entertainment venues, are likely to last until at least February, the government has said.

No crowd surfing, orderly queues: Ireland lays down new COVID-19 rules

The United States has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated international travellers from 33 countries. The list includes all Schengen countries and 26 European Nations bloc. The new guidelines will come into effect from November 8.

US reopens its borders to 33 countries