COVID-19: Karnataka makes RT-PCR tests mandatory for people coming from Maharashtra, Kerala

The state government has decided to increase the pace of COVID-19 vaccination in the state.

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New Delhi: Amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country, Karnataka on Monday (March 15) mandated RT-PCR tests for people traveling from Maharashtra and Kerala. 

After attending the technical advisory committee meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said as the coronavirus cases have been rising in the state for the past 15 days, the government has decided to increase the pace of COVID-19 vaccination drive. 

ಕೋವಿಡ್-19ಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @BSYBJP ರವರು ಇಂದು ತಜ್ಞರು, ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು.

ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉಪಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @drashwathcn, ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಸಚಿವ @mla_sudhakar, ಮುಖ್ಯಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಪಿ.ರವಿಕುಮಾರ್, ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು, ತಾಂತ್ರಿಕ ಸಲಹಾ ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು. pic.twitter.com/RUp8AOjkiT — CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) March 15, 2021

In order to avoid situations leading to implementation of lockdown or night curfew in the state, the CM urged people to cooperate by adhering to the preventive measures. He asked people to follow social distancing and wear masks at public places. Any further decision will be taken after the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 17, the CM also informed. 

As per the data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in Karnataka 13,73,224 beneficiaries were vaccinated on March 15. 

On March 15, the total active cases in Karnataka were 8383, while Kerala recorded 29777 cases and Maharashtra had 127480 active cases.