Bengaluru Cluster Outbreak: Karnataka Imposes Restrictions On Travel From Kerala, International Passengers | Check Details Here

Of the two clusters, one is reported in nursing college, which had 70 per cent of its students from Kerala. In the second cluster around 103 residents of an apartment in Bommanhalli had tested positive.

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In view of the Covid-19 clusters reported in Bengaluru, the state government has imposed new restrictions of travel on those coming from neighbouring state Kerala. As per the new guidelines, all those people coming from Kerala and checking into hotels, resorts, hostels, homestays, dormitories, etc. shall compulsorily produce a negative RT-PCR certificate that is not older than 72 hours.

What are the clusters in news?

Of the two clusters, one is reported in nursing college, which had 70 per cent of its students from Kerala. This particular incident is said to have taken place in the new clusters. Around 42 students from a nursing college in RT Nagar were found to be Covid-19 positive raising concerns for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Around students from this college are being treated in Victoria Hospital, while the remaining students have been asked to self-isolate in the hostel, as per the Hindustan Times report.

In the second cluster around 103 residents of an apartment in Bommanhalli had tested positive. These new cases have been reported amid the witnessing a decline in the number of cases reported per day.

As per the report, the BBMP commissioner informed the second cluster has been spoted in SNN Raj Lake View apartment where the number of cases shot up to 103. Around 1,058 residents of the apartment complex were tested of which 103 have been found positive. Infact the report claimed 90 of these patients are over 60 years of age. However, many of them are asymptomatic and constantly monitored.

The sudden cases came to light after a function was held in the apartment’s clubhouse.

What are new restrictions?

The BBMP on Monday termed the two clusters ‘isolated incidents’ , but on Tuesday the civic authority made an RT-PCR negative certificate mandatory from anyone arriving from Kerala in the state and held a meeting with city's residents' welfare associations (RWAs).  “Owners of the above-mentioned places including hotels, resorts, hostels, homestays, dormitories, etc should ensure that the occupants produce a negative RT-PCR certificate,” read the latest circular from the Karnataka government.

Also, those travellers who have already arrived from Kerala in the past two weeks in the sate shall compulsorily be subjected to RT- PCR test.

What does the guidelines specify for students?

Those students from Kerala who live in the hostels are asked to avoid frequent travelling to their hometown unless it is strongly justified. Such students coming from Kerala need to bring alons a negative RT-PCR test report that is not more than 72 hours old.

 Apart from these restrictions, the state government will declare any hostels, boarding or residential,educational institutions with a cluster of five or more cases, a containment zone. Residents should not be allowed to entertain visitors or relatives inside the campus in educational institutes without obtaining permission from the Covid nodal officers and a list of students travelling to and from Kerala to hostels, colleges  and campuses should be maintained by a competent authority, the circular read.

What about international travellers?

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government also announced mandatory RT-PCR negative certificate for all passenger arriving to the state from United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa. International passengers have undergo home quarantine for 14 days and follow up RT-PCR shall be conducted on 7th day, the state government said.