A health worker takes nasal swab sample to test for COVID-19 in Jammu
Highlight
- Karnataka Chief Minister held an emergency meeting on the new COVID-19 version on Saturday.
- The Karnataka government has also made RT-PCR negative reports mandatory for those entering the state from Kerala.
- Earlier, two South African nationals had tested COVID positive at the Bengaluru International Airport.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held an emergency meeting on the new COVID-19 variant, ‘Omicron’, as two South African nationals tested COVID positive at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Saturday Is. Intensifying screening of international passengers at airports, increasing border checks, asking educational institutions to suspend their public events were among the measures announced by the government, which also indicated that the spread of COVID-19 could be expected in the coming days. Depending on the cases and the scenario, Karnataka may take some stringent measures. Measure. After the meeting, Revenue Minister R Ashok told reporters, “We have requested the central government regarding giving booster dose. It will be given to the frontline workers on priority basis if approved. We can get the approval in a week. Is.”
Here are the top developments:
- International arrivals from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong will compulsorily undergo RT-PCR test for COVID19 and will be allowed to exit the airport, port of entry, only after testing negative.
- Earlier, two South African nationals had tested positive for Covid-19. After the genome sequencing, officials said they were infected with the delta variant and not the new Omicron variant.
- The Karnataka government has also made RT-PCR negative reports mandatory for those entering the state from Kerala and Maharashtra.
- Students who traveled to the state from Kerala 16 days ago to undergo RT-PCR test, despite having negative test reports and those staying in hostels will also undergo the test once again after seven days, now negative Despite having certificates, the revenue minister said the measures announced by the government come against the backdrop of turning schools and colleges in Dharwad, Anekal, Sarjapura and Mysore into clusters.
- Noting that cases of the new variant have been detected in countries like Botswana, South Africa, Hong Kong and Israel in the past one week, State Health Minister K Sudhakar said today that airports should be notified of those traveling from these countries. Guidelines are given. The city will have to undergo a test despite having a negative Covid test report, and they will be allowed to leave the airport only after testing negative.
- Referring to making two doses of vaccination mandatory for those working in government offices, malls, hotels, swimming pools and theatres, Revenue Minister Ashok said that instructions have been given to increase testing for students of medical and nursing colleges.
- The state also issued a temporary ban on cultural programs in schools and colleges.
- Pointing out that “reckless behaviour” such as not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing has been observed at weddings and celebrations, the minister said guidelines regarding wearing of masks and other precautionary measures would be issued and issued in a couple of days. will be done.
- Regarding the celebration of Christmas and New Year, Ashok said that there will be another round of meetings under the leadership of CM and separate guidelines will be issued for this.
- Clarifying that no new type of case has been reported in the state so far, he said, experts have told the state government that the new Omron variant spreads five times faster than the existing ones.
Read also | India on alert after 2 South African nationals test positive in Bengaluru
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