On December 7, China relaxed the zero-Covid policy that it had strictly enforced in the past three years. Testing requirements and travel restrictions were reduced; people with Covid-19 who had mild or no symptoms were allowed to isolate at home instead of in centrally managed facilities.
Experts in the country immediately warned of a rise in infections and resultant overload on hospitals. Within a fortnight, the cases shot up. By December 21, there were 5,944 cases (as per Our World in Data). A high number of cases were reported in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, too.
In his last ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address of the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked citizens to follow Covid protocols. The Union government soon announced preventive measures: all international passengers arriving from China, Japan, Thailand and South Korea will now be screened; testing has been ramped up; and aggressive campaigning has resumed for administering booster shots and adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour. The government’s mantra has been to prepare but not panic. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the government was prepared to handle any situation.
But even as the cases are rising in China because of the “highly infectious and transmissible” BF.7 sub-variant of the Omicron BA.5 strain, experts say it is unlikely to trigger another wave in India. India has so far reported four cases of BF.7.
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