The Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Karnataka, has issued fresh Covid guidelines for Rigorous screening and testing of the International arrivals from countries identified at risk to prevent the spread of VoC(Variant of Concern) in the State.
World Health Organization vide statement dated 26-11-2021 has designated SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529 (named Omicron) as Variant of Concern (VoC).
As of now, WHO has confirmed the detection of Omicron variant in more than 23 countries. Two cases of Omicron Variant have been detected in Karnataka following Genome sequencing by INSACOG.
The new guidelines by the Government of Karnataka are as follows:
It is reiterated that there shall be strict implementation of the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Enforcing adherence to Covid appropriate behavior.
All gatherings, meetings, conferences, etc, should strictly limit the number of participants to 500 people only. COVID appropriate behavior shall be strictly enforced during the event, the responsibility to enforce the same lies with the organizers.
The cultural activities/fests and functions in all educational institutions should be postponed till the 15th of January 2022. Parents of children below 18 years who are going to school/college should be compulsorily Vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine.
Compulsory testing of health workers, old persons above 65 years, and persons with comorbidities will be undertaken by the Government.
The entry to Malls, Cinema halls/Theatres will be allowed only to the persons who are vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. The Government servants shall be vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine.
Wearing face masks is an essential preventive measure. In order to strictly enforce the core requirement of using face masks BBMP, District Authorities 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.
There will be intensive containment (micro containment measures) and active surveillance in clusters/areas reporting higher cases to contain the spread locally.
‘Anyone violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable’ stated in a press release.