Covid-negative order applies to arrivals in Karnataka by air, bus, train and personal transport, irrespective of vaccination status
BENGALURU:
In a fresh diktat in the aftermath of the recent surge in Covid-19 positive cases in neighbouring Kerala, the Karnataka government has made a negative RT-PCR report mandatory for visitors from that state to Karnataka. This mandate applies also to travellers from neighbouring Maharashtra.
“In view of the current Covid-19 situation, the following revised special surveillance measures are notified herewith, to be complied with strictly, for arrivals from Kerala and Maharashtra. Persons arriving from Kerala and Maharashtra should produce a negative RT- PCR certificate not older than 72 hours, irrespective of vaccination status,” the new order issued on Saturday reads.
“The above condition is mandatory for all passengers coming to Karnataka by flight, bus, train and personal transport. This is applicable for all flights originating from Kerala and Maharashtra,” the order further maintains.
Onus on transporters
In his order, Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, stated: “Airlines shall issue boarding passes only to passengers carrying a RT-PCR negative certificate not older than 72 hours,” and added: “Railway authorities shall be responsible for ensuring that all passengers travelling by trains carry negative RT-PCR certificates. For all passengers travelling by bus, the bus conductor shall ensure that they possess RT-PCR negative certificates.”
He also directed Deputy Commissioners of the districts bordering Kerala, i.e., Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Mysuru, and the districts bordering Maharashtra, i.e., Belagavi, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi and Bidar, to establish checkposts and make arrangements to deploy the necessary staff to ensure that all the vehicles entering Karnataka (inclusive of driver, passengers, helper/cleaner) are checked for compliance with the negative RT-PCR report requirement.
What students should do
The order further mandates that students and members of the public visiting Karnataka daily for education, business or other reasons should undergo an RT-PCR test once in l5 days and possess a negative test report.
Who are exempted
The order has exempted Constitutional functionaries, health care professionals, children below 2 years and travellers in dire emergency situations (death in the family, medical treatment, etc.) from the negative RT-PCR certificate requirement. However, the swab of the passenger concerned will be collected on arrival in Karnataka, with necessary details like phone number and address, duly verified from his/her lD card. On receipt of the RT-PCR test report, further action will be taken as per the Karnataka state protocol.
