Also in the same period, a total of 6,77,218 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 78.42 crore cumulative tests…reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has eased the COVID-19-related regulations for air travel in the wake of the recent drop in number of cases in the country.
The Ministry stated that cabin crew members need not wear PPE kit, airlines need not keep three seats vacant on international flights for medical emergencies and security personnel at airports can resume pat-down search of passengers.
The relaxation has been given to facilitate “smooth conduct of air operations”, the ministry’s order, dated March 21, stated.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), in its order, said that the restriction of keeping three seats vacant on international flights for handling medical emergencies related to COVID-19 stands removed.
“Airlines may carry a few additional PPE protective gears, sanitiser and N-95 masks, to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air, for passengers as well as the crew,” the MoCA noted.
It said it had allowed full domestic flight operations from October 18, 2021, and has now decided to recommence scheduled international flight operations from March 27, 2022, “in view of the declining COVID-19 cases, high level of vaccinations and prevailing COVID-19 situation”.
The requirement of complete PPE kit for crew member stands removed, the MoCA stated.
Meanwhile, India reported 1,778 fresh Covid cases, marginally higher than the previous days’ count of 1,581 in a span of 24 hours. In the same period 62 deaths were recorded taking the total number to 5,16,605, said the Union Health ministry on Wednesday morning.
Following a continuous downward trend, India’s active caseload further declined to 23,087 on Wednesday, constituting 0.05 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
A total of 2,542 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,24,73,057. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 6,77,218 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 78.42 crore cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily positivity rates too. Weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.36 per cent and the daily positivity rate is also reported to be 0.26 per cent.
On the vaccination front, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 181.89 crore as per the provisional reports till 7 a.m. Wednesday. This has been achieved through 2,14,87,809 sessions. Over 52 lakh adolescents have been administered with the first dose of Covid vaccine since the beginning of the inoculation drive for 12 to 14 age group, said the ministry.
More than 16.97 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered, according to the health ministry as of Wednesday morning.