Authorities in Sri Lanka have gone on high alert after a new double-mutated variant of SARC-CoV-2 has been found in as many as 18 Indian states, reported Daily Mirror.  Sri Lankan health officials have started checking foreigners and stepped up random testings on arrival in Sri Lanka. 

“Randomly we check the samples of foreigners. We have been doing this for some time as all foreigners are subjected to a PCR test upon arrival to the country,” Daily Mirror quoted a health ministry official. 

“There are many new strains of the COVID-19 globally so we are taking all the precautions. We are now on alert for the new variant detected in India as well,” the official said. 

The new variant spreads faster than the earlier variant. In the last two days alone, India recorded over 100,000 infections. Other countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan also saw sudden spikes in infection rates. 

Health experts asked the government to tighten border controls. Sri Lanka has also signed an air bubble agreement with India to revive its tourism.