Karnataka: RT-PCR must for students travelling from Kerala to attend college

NEW DELHI: The Karnataka Government has made it mandatory for students who have arrived from Kerala to medical and paramedical colleges and other such educational institutions in the past 15 days to undergo RT PCR test.

The decision was taken in the light of the emerging new COVID-19 variant (Omicron) found in South Africa and emerging clusters in some colleges in Dharwad, Bengaluru and Mysuru districts.

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The state government also said it is compulsory for students who are visiting Karnataka daily for education to undergo RTPCR test once in every 14 days and possess the negative report for COVID-19 for entry into Karnataka.

“Production of RT-PCR negative report (irrespective of vaccination status) not older than 72 hours at entry point is mandatory for those arriving from Kerala & Maharashtra,” the state government said in an official notice. Students who have arrived from Kerala in the last 15 days to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test, it added.

ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @BSBommai ಅವರು ಇಂದು ಕೋವಿಡ್-19 ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಗೃಹ ಕಚೇರಿ 'ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ'ದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು. ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ, ಧಾರವಾಡ, ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕನ್ನಡ, ಉಡುಪಿ, ಚಾಮರಾಜನಗರ, ಕೊಡಗು, ಮೈಸೂರು - ಈ 7 ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ವೀಡಿಯೊ ಸಂವಾದ ನಡೆಸಿದರು. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/sFJmMXTbIN

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 27, 2021

“Those arriving from Kerala state to medical and paramedical colleges and other such educational institutions in Karnataka shall be subjected to mandatory RT-PCR test on the 7th day of their arrival,” it said.

Deputy commissioners have been instructed to undertake surprise visits to colleges and schools located in border areas to check arrangements made to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The state government will issue guidelines to educational institutions soon. School/ colleges have been told to postpone cultural programmes for two months and to stop conducting seminars/ workshops.