RTPCR report mandatory; Compulsory testing started at Kerala borders: Dakshina Kannada DHO

Mangaluru: Acting on the strict orders from Chief Minister’s office, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has quickened the pace of testing at the inter-state borders in the district.

From Monday, covid testing has begun at 17 border check-posts including Talapady and Saradka, said District Health Officer Dr. Kishore Kumar.

Compulsory testing was done during the lockdown period of the pandemic’s second wave but after the unlock the rules were relaxed.  Inter-state travellers were allowed to enter the district by producing a negative RTPCR report. Now, testing has been restarted, and test samples are being collected from those who do not produce RTPCR report at the border checks, the DHO said.

The heads of colleges have been instructed to compulsorily test and monitor students who arrived in college hostels after November 12. Daily travellers from Kerala have to undergo Covid tests once every 14 days, he said.

International travellers are being regularly screened and tested as per rules at the airport, he added.

Further, he informed that the public need not panic about the new variant Omicron. He cautioned that people need to be cautious and follow covid norms and preventive behaviours such as wearing masks in public places and social distancing.