Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Dec 5: In view of the discovery of the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron, the state government has mandated rigorous screening and testing of international arrivals from foreign countries.
Deputy commissioner (DC) Dr K V Rajendra spoke exclusively to Daijiworld and explained about the guidelines.
He said, “Pertaining to international passengers, there are 2 categories – the risk countries and non-risk countries. Eleven including the European countries, South Africa, Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong have the new variant. Gulf countries are non-risk countries for now.”
Risk countries
International passengers before boarding from risk countries will have to procure the RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours.
The passengers coming from risk countries should be quarantined for 7 days even if they are tested negative. On the 8th day, they should undergo the RT-PCR test. If 8th day test is negative, they can go home and monitor their health.
Non-risk countries
Passengers coming from non-risk countries will have to procure the RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours. Two per cent of the passengers will be tested randomly here. If they are tested negative, they should undergo 14 days of health monitoring at home. If tested positive, they will be sent to the isolation centres. The passengers sitting beside, three rows behind and front of the positive-tested passenger will be tested.
Health monitoring is not quarantine, but it is like taking care of their health to be safer and the society to be safer.
The ministry of Civil Aviation and Health are accessing the daily condition and releasing the list of risk countries. As of now, the Gulf countries are not risk countries.
Passengers coming from Kannur airport
Passengers coming to the district from Kannur airport should posses RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours while boarding. They should have proof of travel which can be shown at Talapady border and reach the district.
Travellers from Kerala and Maharashtra reaching Karnataka through bus, train or flight
Airlines have been instructed to issue boarding pass only if there is a negative report. Regular checks will be conducted at Mangaluru airport.
Travellers by road and train should get RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours.
Even though one has received two doses of the vaccine, RTPCR negative report is compulsory for Kerala and Maharashtra travellers.