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Stop flights from countries with new Covid-19 variants: Kejriwal to Modi

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop flights from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong where new Covid-19 variants have been detected.

“I urge Hon’ble PM to stop flights from those countries which are affected by new variant. With great difficulty, our country has recovered from Corona. We should do everything possible to prevent this new variant from entering India,” Kejriwal tweeted this morning.

His tweet came in the light of a meeting that will be chaired by the Prime Minister on the Covid-19 situation and vaccination, today.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Principal Secretary to PM, PK Mishra, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul will attend the meeting.

With the news of a new Covid-19 variant –Omicron, being detected in South Africa, scientists and health experts in India have said that new waves of infection are anticipated and unless we act quickly and efficiently, the country will possibly see repeat waves.

The variant has also been declared as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In a communication to all states and Union Territories, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has informed the government that “multiple cases of a Covid-19 variant B.1.1529 have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Hong Kong (1 case)”.

“This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel,” Bhushan said.

“lt is, therefore, imperative that ALL international travellers travelling from and transiting through these countries, (they are part of the “at-risk” Country Category of international travellers coming to lndia) are subjected to rigorous screening and testing”, the communication said.

“The contacts of these international travellers must also be closely tracked and tested as per MoHFW guidelines.”

National News

Kerala: 2 People Missing As Fishing Boat Sinks After Collision With Ship off Kollam Coast

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Kochi: Two persons are missing after a fishing boat sank following a collision with a ship off the Kollam coast, officials said on Sunday.

According to the coastal police, two crew members are missing, while nine others were rescued by the ship involved in the collision.

The fishing boat identified as St Joseph had 11 crew members, all from other states, and was engaged in deep-sea fishing.

The vessel had left Shakthikulangara harbour in Kollam on Friday night.

About The Accident

The accident occurred on Saturday when the boat collided with a foreign ship around 120 nautical miles off the coast.

The impact caused severe damage to the boat and it sank within a short time, an official said.

Soon after the incident, nine crew members were rescued by the ship involved in the accident, while attempts to locate the remaining two were unsuccessful.

Police said the rescued fishermen are likely to be brought to Kochi or Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram soon.

After recording the statements of the rescued crew members, a case will be registered, officials added.

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National News

JD(U) Reassures Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar To Continue Guiding Party And Government Until 2030 Despite Rajya Sabha Move

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Patna: A day after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said that he would continue to monitor the functioning of the new government, JD (U) national working president Sanjay Jha asserted that Nitish, who is all set to move to Rajya Sabha, will be in Delhi only when the house is in session.

Guidance Until 2030

After participating in a meeting of district JD (U) presidents held at his residence, Jha told newspersons, “Many people think Nitish Kumar is going to the Rajya Sabha and so will not be available for Bihar. But let me tell you that the government will be run under the guidance of Nitish Kumar till 2030. No confusion should be spread. Bihar government will function with the support of Nitish Kumar.” The meeting was also attended by Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, who will join JD (U) on Sunday.

On the question of JD (U)’s future, Jha said, “The future of our party is decided by the people of the state. They decided the party’s future in the 2025 elections. The elections were held under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar, and the government is running. Nitish Kumar consults everyone, but whatever decision he makes is his own.”

Nitish’s Assurance

Addressing his party MPs and legislators at his official Friday evening, Nitish said, “I am not going anywhere and would continue to guide the party and also monitor the state government’s functioning.” He reassured party functionaries that they would not face any problem after he became a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, Nishant discussed the party`s future strategy with senior party leaders and young MLAs Saturday morning. A number of posters also cropped up outside the state JD (U) office and other places in Patna, welcoming Nishant to the party fold.

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Emirates resumes flight operations after temporary suspension at Dubai airport (Lead)

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New Delhi, March 7: Emirates has resumed flight operations after temporarily suspending services to and from Dubai International Airport due to safety concerns, the airline said on Saturday in an update on social media.

In an update shared on the social media platform X, the airline said passengers with confirmed bookings for flights scheduled later in the day can now proceed to the airport.

The airline also said the advisory applies to travellers who are transiting through Dubai, provided their connecting flights are operating as scheduled.

“Our post from 11:08am Dubai time regarding operational status is no longer current, and has been deleted to avoid causing unnecessary confusion,” it said.

“Passengers who have confirmed bookings for this afternoon’s flights may proceed to the airport. This includes customers transiting in Dubai if their connecting flight is also operating,” the airline added.

Emirates advised passengers to check the status of their flights and seat availability through its official channels before heading to the airport. This is to ensure that their flights are operating as scheduled.

The airline added that it is closely monitoring the situation and will make adjustments to its operational schedule if required.

“Emirates continues to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly,” the airline stated.

“We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience. The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised,” it mentioned.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the airline said it has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Dubai until further notice, advising passengers not to travel to the airport while operations remain halted.

In that earlier post, the airline said it will provide further updates once more information becomes available. It stressed that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.

However, the post has been deleted now as it was creating confusion among travellers, the airline noted.

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