Karnataka: No proposal to impose lockdown, says CM Bommai amid Omicron threat

“We have directed schools and colleges to follow strict precautions, but not to close them. There is no proposal to impose a lockdown,” Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters, the Karnataka CM urged people not to panic from Omicron, and asked them to strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines. He added that those arriving from countries where the Omicron variant was found are being screened at airports and allowed to enter cities only if they test negative.

CM Bommai said that a negative report has been made mandatory for those students from Kerala who are studying in Karnataka and their second test is being done on the seventh day after the first negative report.

Earlier today, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the sample of one of the two passengers who had arrived at the Bengaluru airport from South Africa had tested positive for the novel coronavirus which is “slightly different from the delta variant.”

Talking to reporters, he said, “One is relatively better and the other, we are finding it a little different from the Delta version. We have sent the sample to the center’s laboratory. We are waiting for the final findings.”

Regarding the booster dose for health workers, Bommai said that his government is waiting for the instructions of the Center in this regard. Bommai said, “Our concern is that it has been more than six months since the health workers received two doses of the vaccine. We will act as per the directions of the Centre.”

He said that the state government is constantly consulting experts and the central government and precautions are being taken as per their guidelines.

Within 24 hours, 315 new cases of corona virus were reported in Karnataka and two people died.

with agency input