Karnataka To Require Negative Covid-19 Test Report From People Arriving From Maharashtra: Full SOPs Here

Karnataka Govt. on Sunday announced that all passengers traveling into the state from Maharashtra will need to show a negative Covid-19 test report on Arrival.

The decision comes amid the rising cases of coronavirus infections in neighboring states of Maharashtra and Kerala.

The Karnataka Govt. on Sunday has also released a circular making it mandatory for anyone arriving from Maharashtra to get a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours of arrival.

“A negative RT-PCR certificate that is not older than 72 hours shall be compulsory for those arriving by flights/buses/trains/personal transport,” the new state government circular read.

Karnataka Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar had earlier in the day said that though the state has not recorded any case of the South African/Brazilian strain of Covid-19 yet, the rising cases in Kerala and Maharashtra are a matter of huge concern.

“On average, 4000-5000 cases being reported in Kerala and 5000-6000 in Maharashtra daily. We share borders with them. So, we issued circulars. Unless we see RT-PCR negative certificates from those coming from these states, they won’t be permitted to enter Karnataka. We have not found any South African strain or Brazilian strain. All that we have found is the UK strain, only in those passengers who traveled from the UK to Bengaluru. We have not allowed it to spread in the society,” Sudhakar said.

Karnataka government issues a circular in view of rising cases of COVID-19 in neighbouring Maharashtra. “A negative RT-PCR certificate that is not older than 72 hours shall be compulsory for those arriving by flights/ buses/trains/personal transport,” it reads. pic.twitter.com/ByAovm8YeB
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2021

New Guidelines For Passengers Traveling to Karnataka

“Karnataka government issues a circular in view of rising cases of COVID-19 in neighboring Maharashtra. “A negative RT-PCR certificate that is not older than 72 hours shall be compulsory for those arriving by flights/ buses/trains/personal transport,” it reads.”

The negative RT-PCR report shall be verified at the time of boarding by airline staff.
For those traveling by bus, tickets shall be issued on production of negative RT-PCR report or shall be checked by the bus conductor while boarding of those who have booked ticket online, etc.
In the trains, the TTEs shall check the negative RT-PCR test report. A random check of the testing reports from the persons arriving at the toll gates/points of entry shall be made for those coming by personal transport.
All those arriving from Maharashtra and checking into hotels, resorts, hostels, homestays, dormitories, etc., shall compulsorily produce a negative RT-PCR certificate that is not older than 72 hours. Owners of the above-mentioned places should ensure that the occupants produce negative RT-PCR certificates.

Airlines Issues Advisories

Indian airlines have also issued advisories for their passengers and asked them to follow the new SOPs issued by the govt. of Karnataka.

Budget carrier SpiceJet tweeted, “with immediate effect, all passengers arriving into Karnataka from Maharashtra are required to have a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 report, issued within 72 hours of their arrival.”