Passengers who are going to Bengaluru from outside Karnataka will need a negative RT-PCR report from April 1 announced Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar informed on Thursday. The city today reported 1,400 Covid cases, its highest daily figure in the last four months. To distinguish those exposed to the virus, it has been decided to hand-stamp the infected people, he added.
The rule is only applicable to Bengaluru and not the rest of Karnataka, said Dr Sudhakar, adding that the state government will not allow more than 200 people for social functions in closed premises. For open lawns, the limit is set at 500 guests.
"Cases are likely to rise in the coming days. More than 60 per cent of Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru are interstate travellers. Anybody who resides in Bengaluru in apartment complexes or any other residences, who will be coming from outside the state, irrespective of the state they're coming from, should possess an RT-PCR negative certificate. The BBMP Commissioner will shortly issue an order to this effect," Sudhakar said.
Presently, this applies only to passengers from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab and Chandigarh.
Warning people of the state against the mutant version of the Covid virus that spreads rapidly, the minister added, "Therefore, it is requested to be careful for the next 2 months. We are tracing out 20 contacts for each infected person.”
The government has made preparations to tackle the upsurge in Bengaluru, Dr Sudhakar said, 400 beds had been reserved for Covid patients and "We will increase the number of beds if required. RGICD, Bowring hospital and Charaka hospital will also be utilized for Covid treatment if required," he added.
Private hospitals have also been asked to be ready in case of a massive surge, he added.
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Large apartment complexes have more Covid-19 cases and entire families are testing positive, noted the health minister, citing that "Previously, only parents used to test positive and not children. Now entire five-member families are testing positive.”
Marshals will be stationed in bus stations, markets, theatres, marriages, convention halls, schools and college campuses, to guarantee social distancing and wearing of masks, while around 198 ambulances will be stationed in every ward to carry Covid-19 patients to Covid Care Centres and hospitals.