Omicron scare: Karnataka government revises Covid guidelines

 

The state government on Friday announced revised guidelines after two cases of Covid 19 variant Omicron were reported in Bengaluru

Earlier in the day, Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired a meeting with experts to for controlling the new variant of Covid.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting Revenue minister R Ashok informed that as per the revised norms only 500 guests will be allowed in marriage functions.

Accordingly, only fully vaccinated people will be allowed into theatres, multiplexes, shopping malls.

The SOP states:

• It is reiterated that there shall be strict implementation of five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and enforcing adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour.
• It is emphasized that all gathering, meeting, conferences, etc, should strictly limit number of participants to 500 people only and COVID appropriate behaviour shall be strictly enforced during the event, the responsibility to enforce the same lies with the organisers.
• The cultural activities/fests and functions in all educational institutions should be postponed till 15th January 2022.
• Parents of children below 18 years who are going to school/college should be compulsorily vaccinated with two doses of COVID 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 shall be shall be allowed only to the persons who are vaccinated with two doses of COVID 19 vaccine.
• Wearing of face masks is an essential preventive measure. In order to strictly enforce the core requirement of masking, BBMP, District Authorities and local Authorities shall impose fine of Rs.250 in Municipal Corporation Areas and Rs.100 in other areas for any violation in this regard.
• There shall be intensive containment (micro containment measures) and active surveillance in clusters/area reporting higher cases to contain the spread locally.
• Strict surveillance at the border posts setup by the districts adjoining Kerala and Maharashtra States shall continue as per the prevailing circular/guidelines issued by Department of Health and family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.

Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 5l to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable