Karnataka issues revised guidelines for international travelers

BENGALURU: In view of the escalating coronavirus situation in the state, Jawaid Akhtar, Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, said that travelers from abroad will have to maintain a distance of two metres while deboarding from the plane. Moreover, the travelers will also have to submit a self-declaration form on ‘Yatri Karnataka’ online portal at least 72 hours before their travel. Akhtar added that business and short term travelers with negative RT-PCR test reports shall be exempted from quarantine. 

“Such passengers shall also submit declarations with respect to the authenticity of their test reports and will be liable for criminal prosecution if these are found otherwise,” Akhtar said. The negative test report must be submitted upon arrival at the point of entry, which can be an airport or a seaport in Karnataka.

For those who are unable to submit the self declaration form online can do so by filling duplicate forms aboard flights or ships and submit the same to health or immigration officials present at the airports or seaports. 

All arriving travelers will be screened at the health counters for COVID-19 symptoms. At the point of entry, passengers will be checked for self-reporting form verification, thermal scanning, pulse oximeter reading, and verifying if they have downloaded the required apps. Based on these checks, travelers will be categorised as symptomatic or asymptomatic on arrival for further action as per the health protocols. At the point of entry, passengers will be checked for self-reporting form verification, thermal scanning, pulse oximeter reading, and verifying if they have downloaded the required apps.