COVID-19: Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh to start screening international passengers at Airports

After reports of Government of India implementing random sampling at airports amid covid-19 scare, now Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh governments will start screening international passengers at airports in their respective states. While Bengaluru's Airport is an international airport, UP has three international airport namely Lucknow, Varanasi and Kushinagar airports. The announcements were made in view of a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world

Karnataka's Health Minister K Sudhakar did not specify from which date the screening process will begin at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). "We will have to take certain precautionary measures in the wake of global situation. KIA has a high inflow of international passengers. We will start screening passengers there," Sudhakar said.

The Minister emphasised the need for people to take precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world, especially in China. He said new COVID-19 guidelines would be issued.

The state government has taken measures to send positive samples for genome sequencing to keep track of emerging variants, as per Union Health Ministry's guidelines. "Some countries including China and Japan are witnessing a sudden spurt in cases. China is witnessing more hospitalisation. Therefore, we need to focus on booster (precaution) dose coverage," Sudhakar told reporters.

A high level meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to discuss next course of action, he added. The state has achieved 100 per cent double dose COVID-19 vaccination, but a lot of people are yet to take precaution jab.

"All those who are yet to get their booster (precaution) shots should voluntarily come forward and get it," Sudhakar said in an appeal to people. "We are prepared to face any kind of situation. We will take all necessary precautions and new guidelines will be released in this regard," he added.

With PTI inputs