Karnataka: No lockdown; negative RT-PCR certificate mandatory for those arriving from Maharashtra and Kerala

After seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and Kerala, Sudhakar said that the state has issued circulars for coronavirus as both the states share borders with Karnataka.

Team Newsable

Bengaluru, First Published Feb 20, 2021, 4:49 PM IST | Last Updated Feb 20, 2021, 4:49 PM IST

Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Saturday confirmed that there is no need or proposal of imposing another lockdown or a night curfew in the state as of now as the Covid-19 situation in the state is in control.

After seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and Kerala, Sudhakar said that the state has issued circulars for coronavirus as both the states share borders with Karnataka.

While speaking to reporters, Sudhakar said, "On average, 4,000-5,000 cases are being reported in Kerala and 5,000-6,000 in Maharashtra daily. We share borders with them. So, we issued circulars. Unless we see RT-PCR negative certificates from those coming from these states they will not be permitted to enter the state."

The Health Minister further said that the state has not found any South African strain or Brazilian strain (of Covid-19).

"We have not found any South African strain or Brazilian strain. All that we have found is the UK strain, only in those passengers who travelled from the UK to Bengaluru. We have not allowed it to spread in the society," he said.

A few days back, the Karnataka government had announced mandatory RT-PCR negative certificates for all passengers arriving in the state from the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa. International passengers have to undergo home quarantine for 14 days and follow-up RT-PCR shall be conducted on the 7th day, the state government said.

"International passengers coming to Karnataka, irrespective of their Covid-19 vaccination status to produce RT-PCR negative certificate and follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour," Karnataka government mentioned.

Meanwhile, Karnataka logged 386 new coronavirus cases and five related fatalities, taking the total tally of positive cases to 9,47,246 and the toll to 12,287, the Health Department said on Friday.

For more reliable and latest news