From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 21: After the detection of a new variant of COVID-19 virus from the United Kingdom (UK), Karnataka has made RT-PCR testing mandatory for all passengers arriving from the UK, including those transiting in other airports outside the UK, from tomorrow (December 22).

The international airports at Bengaluru and Mangaluru are instructed to provide the list of passengers arriving from the UK from December 7, 2020 onwards till date.

Representational image

In a circular issued here on Monday, Jawaid Akhtar, additional chief secretary to health and family welfare department, has instructed that for all flights arriving from December 21, RT-PCR testing must be done for all passengers originating from the UK, including those transiting in other airports outside the UK.

Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to suspend all flights originating from the UK to India.

Those who are RT-PCR positive should be under hospital isolation and positive samples should be sent to NIMHANS, Bengaluru, for molecular testing, the circular said.

Passengers who are RT-PCR negative, should be under strict home quarantine for 14 days.

Contact details of all such passengers should be informed to district surveillance officers for quarantine follow-up, the circular said.

Karnataka’s health and family welfare minister Dr K Sudhakar said 537 passengers arrived to Karnataka from the UK during the last two days and 138 passengers had not done COVID-19 test. Test would be done to such passengers from tomorrow, he said.