Bengaluru: Karnataka has decided to implement a slew of stringent precautionary measures amid the rise in Covid-19, cases, and the threat posed by emergence of the new variant of the virus — Omicron.
A high-level meeting chaired on Saturday November 27 by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in this regard has decided to intensify screening of international passengers at the airports. The people who test negative for Covid will be allowed to enter the City while who have been tested positive will be sent to hospitals for treatment. RT – PCR test report has been made compulsory for those arriving from Kerala and Maharashtra.
Further, a discussion was also held on administering the booster dose of the vaccine as a part of the plan to prevent the third wave of Covid-19 in the state.
“We have urged the Union government to allow the state to administer the booster dose, especially for the front line workers. We may get the go ahead from the Centre in a week,” Minister for Revenue R. Ashok said.
The vaccination campaign has covered a large segment of the population. However the need for the booster dose is being felt, especially for the front line workers who got vaccinated at the very beginning of vaccination campaign, he said.
Bommai has instructed the officials to go on an aggressive campaign to trace those who have not taken the second dose of the vaccine and cover them at the earliest.
CM has instructed to go on high alert at Kerala and Maharashtra border districts, and to keep high vigilance in National Highways. He asked the Deputy Commissioners of the border districts to work in tandem with other related departments in three shifts.
The meeting has decided to impose a temporary ban on cultural programmes in schools and colleges, make second dose of vaccination compulsory for those working in government offices, malls, hotels, cinema halls, zoos, swimming pools and libraries. An arrangement would be made to provide vaccination at government offices and malls. Revenue Minister R. Ashok said while briefing the media persons about the decisions taken at the meeting.
The key decisions of the meeting included mandatory RT – PCR negative report for those entering the state from Kerala and Maharashtra; Compulsory RT – PCR test again (second time) for students from Kerala who arrived in the last 16 days.
Students residing in hostels who got negative RT – PCR test report would have to get the test done again on the 7th day after the first report. CM also instructed to increase testing for students at medical and nursing colleges.
