India has issued an advisory to all states to rigorously test and screen international travellers from South Africa and other “at risk” countries amidst concerns over a new coronavirus variant, after easing some of its travel restrictions earlier this month, Reuters reports.

The federal health ministry said reports of mutations in the new variant, identified as B.1.1.529, had “serious public health implications”.

“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,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter to states.