As part of the increased COVID-19 measures, all international travellers are being tested in Karnataka

All overseas travellers arriving at airports are being tested, according to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, as part of the state's intensified COVID-19 safeguards. One of the analysed samples from an international passenger was transferred to the National Center For Biological Sciences (NCBS) to determine the virus's specific variant, according to the chief minister.

Bommai, speaking to media here on Wednesday, said, "Daily about 2500 international passengers arrive at Bengaluru airport and some at Mangaluru airport. After the experience we had last time, we have initiated stringent measures right away."

"Daily about 2500 international passengers arrive at Bengaluru airport and some at Mangaluru airport. After the experience we had last time, we have initiated stringent measures right away."

The chief minister urged people not to be alarmed by the new COVID-19 variation, Omicron, and stated that there is no plan to impose lockdown in the state, "People are just recovering economically, socially and have resumed their normal life. We do not have any proposal to impose the lockdown."

He said he would conduct a discussion on distributing booster vaccine doses for health professionals and COVID-19 frontline workers during his December 2 visit to New Delhi and meeting with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

He said, "I will discuss administering booster vaccine dose for health workers and Covid frontline workers. It is more than 6 months since they had their double dose of vaccine," adding "The expert committee on COVID is of the view that it would be better to administer the booster dose for health and frontline workers. We will discuss Centre`s stand on the issue."

He added that the administration is keeping a close eye on international travellers as well as students from Kerala. "International passengers and students from Kerala are being monitored with special focus. At a cluster in Dharwad 306 have tested positive out of which only 2 have tested positive when tested again 7 days later. None of them has any serious symptoms. The situation is under control."

"About 7000 persons have already been tested in the area. Over 1000 people have been tested within the radius of 500 metres of the cluster," he informed.

In response to a question about the state's Junior Doctors' strike, the Chief Minister stated that stipends had not been paid in some universities due to the failure to submit required documents.

"Stipend has not been paid in some colleges due to the non-submission of necessary documents. Instructions have been issued for payment of stipend to those who have already submitted the documents. All the students would get the stipend in 2-3 days," he said.

Meanwhile, state Minister of Health and Medical Education Dr. K Sudhakar announced on Wednesday that beginning today, all travellers arriving in Karnataka from other countries will be subjected to an obligatory RTPCR examination at the airport.

Minister K Sudhakar stated that the Chief Minister has directed that RTPCR be made mandatory for all foreign visitors, "If the RTPCR test report at the airport comes up negative, travellers can go home, and they will be subjected to a 7-day quarantine. Their health will be monitored during the quarantine period."

"For those who are symptomatic, and reports are negative, they will be tested again on the 5th day. They are free to move only if the Negative report comes out after quarantine after 7 days. If the RTPCR report is positive, they will be hospitalized and treated. Passengers may face some delay because testing is mandatory, but it is inevitable," the minister informed.

"If the Omicron virus is detected, they will be treated in special isolation wards at hospitals. The government has held talks with the hospital and medical colleges. The health department has already convened a meeting with district officials to suggest measures to be taken in this regard," Dr Sudhakar added.