Karnataka To Screen International Passengers At Bengaluru Airport As Covid Cases Rise Globally

“We will have to take certain precautionary measures in the wake of global situation. KIA has a high inflow of international passengers. We will start screening passengers there,” Sudhakar said.

The health minister, however, did not specify from which date the screening process will begin

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New Delhi: In the wake of Covid-19 surge in some parts of the world, the Karnataka government has decided to start screening international passengers at Bengaluru airport, Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the minister, however, did not specify from which date the screening process will begin at the Kempegowda International Airport.

“We will have to take certain precautionary measures in the wake of global situation. KIA has a high inflow of international passengers. We will start screening passengers there,” PTI quoted Sudhakar as saying.

Sudhakar stressed the need for people to take the Covid precautionary dose amid a surge in cases in some parts of the world, especially in China. He said new Covid guidelines will also be issued.

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It is to be noted that as Union Health Ministry's guidelines, the state government has taken measures to send Covid positive samples for genome sequencing to keep track of the emerging variants.

“Some countries including China and Japan are witnessing a sudden spurt in cases. China is witnessing more hospitalisation. Therefore, we need to focus on booster (precaution) dose coverage,” Sudhakar said, adding, “A high-level meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to discuss next course of action.”

Notably, the southern state has achieved 100 per cent double dose Covid vaccination, but a lot of people are yet to take precaution jab.

"All those who are yet to get their booster (precaution) shots should voluntarily come forward and get it," Sudhakar appealed to the people.

“We are prepared to face any kind of situation. We will take all necessary precautions and new guidelines will be released in this regard,” the minister added.