COVID: No restrictions on inter-state travel, says Karnataka Health Minister
'Covid marshals would be deployed to monitor wedding'
Bengaluru, Feb 22: The Karnataka government on Monday clarified that it had not imposed any restrictions on inter-state travel, but has mandated RT-PCR certificates not older than 72 hours for those arriving in the state from neighbouring Kerala and Maharashtra.
Health Minister K Sudhakar, while stating this, also cautioned people against negligence towards observing protocol and of stricter steps if the number of cases increase and said marshals would be deployed to monitor weddings as they were taking place without following any norms or guidelines.
"We have not imposed any restrictions on passengers traveling from Kerala, Maharashtra or any other state to Karnataka.
Let me clarify this, because other states may have got a wrong opinion....For inter-state travelers there is no restriction," Sudhakar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said Karnataka has made it mandatory for people arriving in the state to have a negative RT-PCR certificate that is not older than 72 hours.
This measure was taken last week for those arriving by flights, buses, trains, personal transport from neighboring Maharashtra and Kerala, following the recent spike in COVID cases in those states.
To a question on people staging protests at the Kerala borders demanding withdrawal of "restrictions", Sudhakar said no restrictions had been imposed, but checking negative test reports could have caused some inconvenience to travelers.
"According to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, there is movement of about 2-3 lakh people between both states every day.
If test reports of such a large number of people has to be done, it definitely causes inconvenience, so we may not be able to do it 100 per cent, but we are trying random at least," he said.
Sudhakar also said he would speak to the Health Ministers of Kerala and Maharashtra in a couple of days and request them to issue strict circulars to travelers in their states.
"Many people travelling from those states don't have information. We have issued a circular in our state. But if circulars are issued in those states also, it will benefit both," the minister said.
He noted that events, fairs, marriages and agitations with large crowds were being held despite repeated appeals by the government, all of which were against the guidelines issued by the COVID technical advisory committee.
"Civic sense and responsibility is also important. If we don't understand it, in the days to come, if the cases increase, you (people) will be responsible for forcing the government to take strict measures.
At a few places in Maharashtra there is lockdown...you decide if such a situation has to come in Karnataka," he said.
The Minister said marshals would be deputed at weddings to ensure that not more than 500 people gather at the events, wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Further, if five people in a place test positive, the area would be designated as a containment zone, he said, adding there is already a circular in this regard.
Stating that more than 4.24 lakh health department employees and 1.20 lakh front line warriors have been administered the first dose of Covid vaccine,Sudhakar said the government was cleaning up registration data by eliminating duplicate entries.
"We have a target of 80 per cent and 90 per cent coverage for Health department staff and front line warriors respectively by the end of this month.
All officials have been requested to get the dose."
"Bengaluru is lagging in vaccination... instructions have been given to all districts to achieve 80 per cent target," he said.
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Netanyahu defends expanded Gaza offfensive; Israeli strike kills five Al Jazeera journalists
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Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a fresh military offensive in the Gaza Strip, calling it “more sweeping than previously announced” and asserting that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”
Speaking amid mounting condemnation at home and abroad over the 22-month conflict, Netanyahu said the security cabinet had directed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the “central camps” and Muwasi. These areas, according to UN estimates, shelter more than half a million displaced people and had not been mentioned in Israel’s earlier announcement on Friday.
A source familiar with the operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Israel’s plans to extend military action to both areas. Netanyahu maintained that “safe zones” would be established, though such areas have been bombed in previous strikes.
The announcement came as heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City late Sunday. Shortly before midnight, Al Jazeera confirmed the killing of its correspondent Anas al-Sharif in a targeted Israeli strike. The attack hit a tent for Al Jazeera journalists outside the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital, an area known for hosting medical personnel.
Shifa Hospital’s administrative director, Rami Mohanna, said the strike killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including Sharif, whom Israel accused of leading a Hamas cell responsible for orchestrating rocket attacks. Sharif was killed moments after posting a video showing intense bombardment in Gaza City.
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