Omicron Fear Lockdown in Karnataka: CM Bommai BIG Announcement

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai has clarified that orders are issued to keep a close watch on schools and colleges and that this should not be understood as a step towards lockdown.

Speaking to media persons in Davangere, the Chief Minister said that there is no proposal before him to impose the lockdown. Saying that there is no need to panic over Omicron virus variant-related news, the Chief Minister said that Covid protocol must be followed by everyone.

Vigilance is increased in the airport with screening of passengers arriving from Omicron virus-affected countries. They are undergoing RT PCR tests on arrival to the state. He said that a person who arrived from South Africa to Bengaluru earlier has undergone Covid test and his sample is sent to ICMR for Genome Sequencing. Once the report comes, the variant will be confirmed.

Bommai said a negative report has been made mandatory for students from Kerala who are studying in Karnataka and a second test is being done on them on the seventh day of the first negative report.  The State government is in constant consultation with experts and the Union government, and precautions are being taken according to their guidelines, he said.

Replying to a question about a person who arrived from South Africa found to be having different symptoms of the pandemic, Bommai said, “The test report of the person has been sent for genome sequencing. Exact variant of the virus would be known from the genome sequencing report.”

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Regarding the booster dose for health workers, Bommai said his government is awaiting the instructions from the Centre in that regard. “Our concern is that it is already over six months since the health workers received two doses of the vaccine. We will act according to directions from the Centre,” Bommai said.