Travelling to Karnataka from Kerala? No RT-PCR report needed if you have COVID-19 vaccine certificate

The Karnataka government on Thursday ordered that all people entering the state from Kerala need to produce a negative RT-PCR report.

However, those who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and possess the certificate for the same are exempted from producing the negative RT-PCR certificate.

According to the order regarding special surveillance measures for persons arriving from Kerala, vaccination certificate of having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be exempted form producing RT-PCR certificate.

The Karnataka government made it mandatory for travellers entering the state from Kerala via rail, road or air to produce the RT-PCR negative not be older than 72 hours or a vaccination certificate of at least one dose, as the State has taken up special surveillance measures in the wake of Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 being reported from several districts of Kerala.

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However, an exemption has been provided to the people who have received both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine, constitutional functionaries, health workers and children below two years of age. In case of dire emergency situation like death in the family and medical requirements, the passengers shall be allowed even without these requirements after collecting their swabs along with details of identity.

According to the order, Kerala continues to be threatened with the spread of COVID 19 virus, and 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 Kerala.

The prevailing COVID 19 situation in Kerala entails taking special surveillance measures to prevent the spread into the bordering districts of the State, the order said. Hence directions have been issued for taking special surveillance measures, for persons arriving from Kerala, with immediate effect, it added.

The government had earlier this week ordered that all people entering Karnataka from Maharashtra need to produce a negative RT-PCR report or show proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)