In view of the detection of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19, the Mizoram government has planned to issue new guidelines in the state.

The state-level expert team for Covid-19 management has submitted draft guidelines to the government to screen and monitor people from abroad, said a health official.

The new regulations will also include suggestions on appropriate Covid behavior for such travelers, said the official, who is a member of the team.

India had reported the first two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 from Karnataka on Thursday.

A South African national and a Bengaluru doctor have tested positive for the virus. Both of them have no travel history and are fully vaccinated.

The official said the new species is still under study and it will take at least two weeks to determine its nature.

“The Omicron variant is believed to be more infectious than the Delta variant, as it has a significantly high number of mutations and spike protein,” he added.

Mizoram reported 275 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the state’s total to 1, 35,450.
The death toll rose to 501 with one more fatality.