Covid cases surge in Karnataka, pushing the state to semi-lockdown

Those who returned from Goa state, would be tracked and tested again as most of Goa returnees are testing positive for Covid, Minister Sudhakar explained.

The RT-PCR negative report had been made compulsory for those travelling from Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala states. There will be intensive surveillance at the borders, he explained.

The government offices below the Under Secretary level operate with 50 per cent capacity, and the services of the staff would be utilised by the Health department. Above the Under Secretary rank officers would attend the offices fully, he said.

The state has seen a jump from 0.16 per cent to 3.12 per cent in terms of infections. "The infection is doubling in every 2-3 days. Earlier, in the first and second waves it took about 8-15 days. We are seeing vertical growth of Covid cases this time," he said.

Since Bengaluru is the epi-centre of the infections, separate strategies are formulated by the government to deal with the situation in Bengaluru and the rest of the state.

P. Ravikumar, Chief Secretary and Chairman State Executive Committee stated that Karnataka is witnessing alarming rate of increase in the number of patients which is attributed mainly due to Omicron variant. The number of patients getting doubled in less than 3 days, he added.

In Bengaluru Urban district, all schools and colleges except medical, para Medical will remain closed from January 6 except class 10, 11 and 12, he said.

Religious places are open only for darshan, and no seva is allowed.

Sports complexes and stadia are allowed to function with 50 per cent capacity.

All rallies, charnas, protests are prohibited. Any violations, legal action will be initiated under Disaster Management Act and IPC sections, he explained.

The weekend curfew will start from Friday 8 p.m. to Monday 5 a.m. Essential and emergency activities are allowed during weekend and night curfew.

All industries including IT industry are exempted from the restriction of curfew.

(With inputs from IANS)