Bengaluru, Dec. 3: In view of two Omicron cases a new variant of Covid virus detected in the state, Karnataka on Friday issued fresh guidelines that include compulsory two dose vaccination for entering malls, cinema halls or theatres, and for parents of school or college going students.
Of the two cases of the new Omicron variant detected in the state on Thursday, one 66-year old is a South African national who had left the country after testing negative, while the other is a 46-year-old medical practitioner from Bengaluru, with no travel history. Five contacts of the doctor have also tested positive and their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing.
After fresh Covid clusters emerging mostly in colleges in the last couple of weeks in various parts of the state, the state government also decided to postpone all events especially cultural activities or fests and functions in all educational institutions should be postponed till January 15, 2022
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday chaired a meeting with experts, senior ministers and officials concerned after two cases of Omicron variant were detected in the state on Thursday.
After this meeting, Revenue minister R. Ashoka who is also vice-chairman of Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) told reporters that intensifying screening of international passengers at airports, asking educational institutions to postpone their public events, and limiting gatherings, meetings, conferences to 500 people, are among the other measures decided during the meeting chaired by Mr Bommai.
“Two cases of the Omicron variant of Covid virus have been detected in Karnataka, and around 400 cases have been detected in various parts of the world. Since there are no official study reports available on these cases so far, however, the unofficial information available to us suggests that Omicron infections are not serious in nature,” he claimed.
He added that only mild symptoms have been found among those infected and there have been no reports of any deaths.
The minister said that the state would be writing to the Union Government requesting a detailed report from the National Centre for Biological Sciences
(NCBS) lab on both cases. “We have issued instructions to all departments concerned to take all the precautionary measures,” he said.
Intensify screening at airports:
Mr Ashoka said that international travellers especially those arriving from ‘at risk’ countries in the state will be tested at the airports and only after their reports come out negative, they will be allowed to go out.
“We are increasing the number of testing counters in airports for the benefit of the passengers and also reduce the crowd and any unnecessary delays in testing in airports,” he said and added that instructions are also been issued to take precautionary measures for existing Delta variants, along with Omicron.
Two-dose of anti-Covid vaccine must to enter malls, schools and theatres:
According to the government notification, parents of children below 18 years who are going to school or college, should be compulsorily vaccinated with two doses of anti-Covid vaccine, also the entry to malls, cinema halls or theatres shall be allowed only to those who are vaccinated with two doses.
The notification added that all gatherings, meetings, conferences, etc, should strictly limit the number of participants to 500 people only and Covid appropriate behaviour shall be strictly enforced during the event.
The responsibility to enforce the same lies with the organisers. Compulsory testing of health workers, old persons above 65 years and persons with comorbidities will be undertaken by the government, it said.
Noting that government servants shall be vaccinated with two doses of anti-Covid vaccine, the order said wearing face masks is an essential preventive measure.
Fines to be imposed on those who don’t wear masks:
In order to strictly enforce the core requirement of ensuring wearing masks, BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), district and local authorities shall impose a fine of Rs 250 in Municipal Corporation Areas and Rs 100 in other areas for any violation in this regard, it said.
There shall be intensive containment (micro containment measures) and active surveillance in clusters or areas reporting higher cases to contain the spread locally, it said, adding that strict surveillance at the border posts setup by the districts adjoining Kerala and Maharashtra shall continue.
Increase tests from 60,000 to 1 lakh tests everyday:
Mr Ashoka further said instructions have been given to the Health department to increase the number of tests per day to 1 lakh from the current 60,000.
He added that the CM has instructed the Health department to ensure the availability of oxygenated and ICU beds, like it was available during the second wave of Covid and also to ensure that oxygen plants are serviced and operational.
Committee to monitor oxygen supply:
“The committee that was constituted to ensure Oxygen supply and availability will be once again brought into existence, and control rooms operational. Officials have also been asked to ensure availability of vaccines and required medicines by procuring them,” he explained.
The Revenue minister said that fresh SOP or guidelines will be issued for Christmas and New Year celebrations after assessing the situation then and also discussing with the CM.
Will hold legislature session in Belagavi:
He said the legislature session in the border district of Belagavi from December 13-24, will be held as per schedule and a set of rules will be prepared for it.
