Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 13: In the light of rising coronavirus cases in Kerala state, it has been decided to form taskforce committees at the gram panchayat level with effect from Saturday March 13 to keep vigil on those crossing the border with symptoms, said deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada Dr K V Rajendra, addressing a press conference.

Rajendra said that at an official level meeting, instructions were issued to form taskforce committees at the village level. These committees have been asked to patrol the area. As election is approaching Kerala, safety and security at the border is of paramount importance, he added.

Checkpost at Talapady

"Those coming into Dakshina Kannada district from Kerala have to bring coronavirus negative certificates. They can arrive at the border and get the test done at the centres there. Even though there is no bar on crossing the border, checking is being done. Even though students from Kerala have been found infected, in the interests of the daily commuters in the two districts, it has been decided to open up four more border roads," he said.

The DC said that the number of daily swab tests has gone up to 4,000. For this purpose, steps have been taken to appoint a data entry operator and lab technician at the Wenlock Hospital. A swab testing centre is functioning at the airport here that provides result in 24 hours. This will be helpful for Kerala passengers, he said.