Bengaluru: Amidst growing fears of Omicron in the state, the Basavaraj Bommai government has made it mandatory for international passengers arriving in Karnataka to undertake RT PCR test at airports.
"About 2,500 passengers come to the state every day from different countries, and it is now mandatory for all international passengers to undergo RT PCR test at airports," he told reporters after a meeting with the technical experts advisory committee here on Tuesday.
"Those who will be tested negative, will be home quarantined for seven days. Those tested symptomatic and negative, will have to undergo testing at home on the fifth day. And, symptomatic will be tested on the seventh day. If positive, they will be immediately hospitalized and will be treated separately," he added.
Omicron virus has been detected in 12 countries, and the government has taken preventive measures to curb this variant in the state, Dr Sudhakar said.
Those who haven’t got vaccination should voluntarily come forward and get vaccinated and stay safe, he said. Priority will be given to those 41 lakh people who are slated to get a second dose of Covid vaccine, he added.
The central government too is tracking the situation by culling out samples from all states and every international passenger's contacts are being traced and tested, the minister said.
The meeting also suggested usage of Quarantine App and Telemedicine to effectively deal with Omicron virus, he said.
In addition, a panel of 10 experts has been set up to formulate separate guidelines for treatment, the minister said.
Earlier, Dr Sudhakar said the ICMR report on the sample of one of the two Covid-infected South African nationals is expected in the next 2-3 days which will reveal the variant the patient is suffering from.
The other South African patient has been tested Delta variant positive, he said. However, both South Africans are asymptomatic, but as a precautionary measure they have been admitted to the hospital, the minister said.
"The sample of one of the two infected South Africans has confirmed Delta positive, but the sample report of the other patient is awaited. It is assumed, not confirmed, that the person has been infected with a different variant. We have sent the case to the Indian Council for Medical Research. It may take another two to three days for the report to arrive," Dr Sudhakar said.
Amidst growing concerns over the Omicron variant, the minister has convened a meeting attended by the technical experts advisory committee, which is deliberating upon measures to be taken to tackle the situation.
The committee had earlier recommended a set of guidelines to the government, which is being discussed and laid before Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for approval.
Dr Sudhakar however dismissed any proposal by the government to impose restrictions hindering the academic and economic activities in the state.
According to Bengaluru Rural District Deputy Commissioner K Srinivas, the two Covid-infected persons had arrived in Bengaluru from South Africa on November 11 and November 20.
