From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 10: Kannadigas returning to their home State of Karnataka from other States or foreign countries will have to compulsorily undergo quarantine for 14 days following the lifting or relaxation of lockdown conditions on account of the coronavirus pandemic.

This and many suggestions were discussed and placed before the State Government on the situation of preparedness for keeping the returning Kannadigas in quarantine at a meeting convened by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa along with cabinet ministers and senior officials at the Chief Minister’s home office of Krishna in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Deputy Chief Ministers Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and Govind M Karjol, Education Minister S Suresh Kumar, Revenue Minister R Ashok, Medical Education Minister Dr Sudhakar, Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, senior officials and medical experts attended the meeting.

All the returning Kannadigas from other States or countries must compulsorily register themselves online in advance and only the Kannadigas compelled to stay in other States due to lockdown will be allowed to return.

The returning Kannadigas are required to inform their place of arrival and date while registering and will be allowed to come subject to availability of the quarantine facilities as per the suggestions made to the State Government.

The returning Kannadigas unwilling to undergo quarantine can register themselves online but they will not be allowed to reach their native places or villages upon arrival.

Those Kannadigas stranded in other States due to lockdown and coming by train will get reimbursement of the train fare. However, these returning Kannadigas must be tested again for COVID 19 in the State even if they were already tested in the States where they were staying.

However, one of the most seemingly harsh suggestion is with regard to those who die in other States as their bodies will be allowed to be brought to Karnataka and the last rites of such deceased persons shall have to be performed in the State the deaths occur.

If people die in other States irrespective of whether they are outsiders or insiders (those belonging to the State), the last rites shall have to be performed in the places where they die.

It remains to be seen what the final decision of the State Government will be as the Chief Minister will have to officially announce it.