A new strain of Covid-19 variant has been discovered in South Africa and has reportedly been detected in 6 countries till now. This new strain C.1.2 has fortunately not been found in India so far. Because of this new variant, BMC has issued directives for international passengers arriving in Mumbai.

Passengers who arrive at Mumbai airport from Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, China, Europe, Mauritius, Middle East, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and Zimbabwe will be subject to RT-PCR test which would be at their own cost. Fully vaccinated passengers and passengers age above 65 years etc. won’t be given earlier exemption from September 3.

 All passengers are to be mandatorily subjected to a 14-day home quarantine period. All other passengers (except Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, China, Europe, Mauritius, Middle East, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and Zimbabwe) who have to exit Mumbai Airport or have to take connecting flight will have to produce a negative RT-PCR test report conducted within 72 hours of the journey.

As per WHO, researchers in South Africa first presented their research on C.1.2 variant to the WHO Virus Evolution Working Group in July 2021. The new variant was reported in SA in May. C.1.2 has 40-59 mutations more than the original Wuhan virus.

(source:media reports)