To combat the spread of Omicron variant, the BS Bommai-led Karnataka government has reimposed stringent precautions in the state, especially across the border districts like Dakshina Kannada, Madikeri, Chamarajanagar, and Mysuru. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai hinted at implementing more restrictions to reduce the spread of the strain. "Instructions have been given to increase the number of tests per day. The Health Minister will be holding a meeting with officials and experts, the outcome of which will be shared with me, following which we may take certain decisions keeping in view the current circumstances," Bommai stated.
Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar would chair a with the officers of his department, from the Principal Secretary to the Primary Health Centre level doctors, and might take a decision on imposing further curbs. Members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on COVID-19 would also take part in the meeting.
The meeting comes after the sample of one of the two persons who arrived in Bengaluru recently from South Africa appeared 'different from the Delta variant'. "There is a delta variant for the past nine months only, but you are saying that one of the samples is Omicron. I cannot say about it officially. I am in touch with the ICMR and central government officials," Sudhakar told reporters today.
The ICMR report on the sample is expected in the next two to three days.
Apart from Karnataka, several states, in line with the Centre's advisory, have implemented a slew of precautionary measures including curbs on travel from affected African countries. While in Maharashtra passengers from South Africa will be quarantined and their samples will be sent for genome sequencing, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in the national capital has decided to conduct RT-PCR testing for all people arriving from 'high-risk' countries, genome sequencing of the positive cases and mandatory isolation.
In Uttarakhand, people coming from outside will have to undergo a mandatory COVID test. Besides, officials in the state have also been instructed to conduct COVID tests at various border entry points over the fears of B.1.1.529.
Full list of restrictions imposed in Karnataka So Far
Those arriving from Kerala would be allowed only with RT-PCR negative reports.
It is also mandatory for Keralites to have a double dose of vaccination before entering Karnataka.
International passengers can step out from Airports only with a negative test report.
On international arrivals, if tested positive, the sample will be sent to genomic sequencing and they will be admitted to a separate isolation facility. Flyers will be discharged at the discretion of the treating physician if the genomic sequencing is negative for B.1.1.529 (Omicron variant).
For travelers coming from countries excluding those enlisted as countries at-risk, a random sample of five per cent of travellers with negative results will undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival. If tested positive, their samples will be sent to genomic sequencing.
All social & cultural events, conferences, seminars, academic events, etc. in educational institutions are expected to postponed for 2 months.
Kerala, on the other hand, has deployed health workers at all the four airports in the state in order to collect samples and conduct testing of people coming from foreign countries. Health minister veena George also announced that all international passengers arriving from high-risk nations, which have reported cases of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, will have to undergo 14 days quarantine when they reach the state.
(With inputs from agencies)