Karnataka intensifies checking after South African returnees test positive for Covid-19

Bengaluru airport has tightened it's precautionary measures and the state of Karnataka is on high alert after two returnees from South Africa tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days. One of the samples has been confirmed to be the Delta strain of the virus while the second is a little different from the Delta strain said Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday.

Airport authorities in Bengaluru have also made RT PCR and Rapid Antigen testing for those travelling from other countries and thermal screening compulsory.

All international passengers who test negative for Covid-19 on arrival in Bengaluru will be put in quarantine for seven days. They will be tested again after seven days said Bengaluru Rural district health officer Tippeswamy to the media.

Some 568 such passengers have already been put under surveillance with those coming from high-risk Countries where the Omicron virus is now being detected. Such passengers will have to produce their RT-PCR and rapid antigen test results.

Tippeswamy said the state had already directed airlines to check reports compulsorily and not to allow anyone to travel without the report. This was especially relevant for passengers flying in from Kerala and Maharashtra without RT-PCR reports he said.

Meanwhile, in view of the new variant of Covid-19, the Dakshina Kannada district administration resumed screening at the Talapady Checkpost, conducting RT-PCR tests of those arriving in the district from Kerala without a negative report.

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraja Bommai on Monday asked people not to panic about omicron and they must follow Covid-19 precautionary measures strictly.