Karnataka govt updates travel guidelines; details here

The Karnataka government has introduced updated guidelines for international and domestic travellers following detection of two cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus in the state. Both the patients, 66-year-old and 46-year-old were noted to have mild symptoms.

Here are the updated guidelines:

1. Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has said that 2 percent of the passengers travelling from countries, not in the ‘at risk’ category, will undergo random testing at the port of entry on arrival. 'At risk' countries include all European nations, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, UK, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong and Israel.

2. Among the passengers flying in from 'safe' nations, a random sample of 5 per cent of passengers with negative results will undergo RT-PCR testing on landing. Their swab samples will be collected and sent to genomic sequencing. They will be admitted to an isolation facility if they test positive. If the genome sequencing is negative for Omicron, they will be discharged at the discretion of the physician.

3. All international passengers must upload a negative RT-PCR report within 72 hours before boarding the flight. A thermal screening and self-declaration form is required at the airport on arrival.

4. Thermal screening is a must for all passengers, international and domestic, both.

5. Irrespective of their vaccination status, passengers travelling from Kerala and Maharashtra need to carry a negative Covid report taken not earlier than 72 hours of arrival. Thermal screening and oxygen saturation tests shall be done upon arrival.