RTPCR -ve or one dose vaccine certificate must for returnees from Maharashtra by any mode

Whereas, the State of Maharashtra continues to be threatened with spread of COVID 19 virus. Further, INSACOG (a consortium of laboratories for whole Genome sequencing in the context of COVID 19 pandemic) has intimated that Delta Plus variant of COVID 19 virus, which is currently a Variant of Concern (VOC), has been reported in certain districts of Maharashtra.

Whereas, the State Government is satisfied that prevailing COVID 19 situation in the Maharashtra, neighbouring State, entails taking special surveillance measures to prevent the spread into the bordering districts of the state. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under the sub section (1) of Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the undersigned, in the capacity of the Chairman, State Executive Committee, directs taking special surveillance measures, as below, for persons arriving from Maharashtra, with immediate effect, for strict implementation by Chief Commissioner BBMP, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other Heads of Departments and Authorities.

(i) Negative RT-PCR certificate not older than 72 hours or vaccination certificate of at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine shall be compulsorily produced by the passengers coming to Karnataka by flight, bus, train, taxi, personal transport, etc. This will also be applicable for all the flights originating from Maharashtra to Karnataka.

(ii) Airlines shall issue boarding passes only to the passengers carrying RT-PCR negative certificate not older than 72 hours or vaccination certificate of at-least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine.

(iii) Railway Authorities shall be responsible for ensuring that all passengers travelling by trains early negative RT-PCR certificates not older than 72 hours or vaccination certificate of at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine.

(iv) For all the passengers travelling by bus, the bus conductor shall ensure that they possess RT-PCR negative certificates not older than 72 hours or vaccination certificate of at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine.

(v) Deputy Commissioners of the Districts bordering Maharashtra State, i.e., Belagavi, Bidar, Vijayapura & Kalaburagi shall make arrangements to deploy necessary staff at Checkposts to ensure that all the vehicles entering Karnataka are checked for the compliance of the above requirement.

Further, for short term travelers and students the guidelines will be applicable as mentioned in Reference 1 and 3.

Permitted exemptions for negative RT-PCR certificate are as follows:

a) Vaccination certificate of having received at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine.

b) Constitutional functionaries and health care professionals.

c) Children below 2 years.

d) In dire emergency situation (death in the family, medical treatment etc.,) – the passenger’s swab shall be collected on arrival in Karnataka with necessary details like phone number, address etc., duly verifying from his ID card. On receipt of the RT-PCR test report, further action will be taken as per the State protocol.

Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the relevant provisions of the Kamataka Epidemic Diseases Act 2020, Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under relevant section of IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable.