Negative RT-PCR report now must for visitors from Kerala to Karnataka
Bengaluru, Feb 16: The Karnataka government on Tuesday issued a fresh set of guidelines for people coming from Kerala, which has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, saying these would come into force with immediate effect.
Based on recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19, new special surveillance measures for those arriving from Kerala have been introduced, Additional Chief Secretary Jawaid Akhtar said in a release.
It would now be mandatory for those arriving from that state and checking into hotels, resorts, hostels, home stays and dormitories to have a negative RT-PCR certificate, "which should not be older than 72 hours."
The government said positive samples would be sent to NIMHANS here for genomic sequencing.
Those in hostels and colleges would not be allowed to have visitors or relatives without obtaining express permission from the Covid nodal officers.
A list of students travelling to and from Kerala from hostels or colleges should be maintained by a competent authority, the order said.
The government said students should compulsorily produce RT PCR negative test reports, not older than 72 hours, each time they return from Kerala and till the situation improves.
The order said that day scholars travelling from Kerala to schools and colleges in any part of Karnataka would be subjected to RT-PCR test every fortnight.
Those who had already arrived to the state from Kerala over the past two weeks should compulsorily undergo this test.
The government said the authorities concerned have to appoint a nodal person in hostels and classes to monitor the students' health condition and that of others.
Anyone not complying with the order would immediately be reported to the nodal person or authorities and made to stay in the designated "quarantine room "in the facility till RT- PCR test report turned negative.
The government asked the authorities to ramp up testing and strengthen COVID-19 surveillance activities in all colleges, residential facilities, which have accommodated the students and others from Kerala.
? ಕೊರೊನಾ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ ಮಾರ್ಗಸೂಚಿ
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) February 16, 2021
ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಹಾಸ್ಟೆಲ್, ವಸತಿ ಶಾಲೆ-ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 5ಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಕೊರೊನಾ ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳು ಪತ್ತೆಯಾದರೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಕಂಟೇನ್ಮೆಂಟ್ ವಲಯ ಎಂದು ಘೋಷಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು.
ಕೇರಳದಿಂದ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಮಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರು 72 ಗಂಟೆಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಹಳೆಯದಲ್ಲದ ಆರ್ ಟಿ-ಪಿಸಿಆರ್ ವರದಿಯನ್ನು ಕಡ್ಡಾಯವಾಗಿ ಹೊಂದಿರಬೇಕು. pic.twitter.com/NRZ90Gcb88
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Heavy rains prompt warnings and travel bans in many Kerala districts
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): As rains lashed many parts of Kerala, authorities on Sunday urged people, particularly those living in hilly and coastal areas, to exercise vigil.
The Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts for Sunday and Monday, and sounded orange alerts for four other districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam, for these days.
The Met office predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 km/h at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala till 1 pm on Sunday.
The Idukki District Collector has ordered a ban on night travel through the hilly areas of the district from Sunday until the red and orange alerts are withdrawn.
"Strict instructions have been issued to the District Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Regional Transport Officers, and Tehsildars to implement the ban effectively," an official statement said.
Mining activities have been banned in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts in view of the forecast for heavy rain.
The southern district of Thiruvananthapuram experienced heavy rains on Saturday night, leading to waterlogging in the city and its suburbs, affecting normal life.
Visuals aired by news channels showed that houses and shops were flooded in some parts.
Due to the non-completion of the Smart City Road, waterlogging has worsened in many places.
In some areas, canals crisscrossing the capital city and its suburbs overflowed.
The affected people alleged that the lack of pre-monsoon cleaning of canals and drainage systems was the reason for the waterlogging in the capital city and its suburbs.
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