Karnataka: Negative Covid-19 reports now must for travellers from Tamil Nadu

BENGALURU: After restrictions on people arriving from Kerala, the Chamarajanagar district administration has now made it mandatory for travellers from Tamil Nadu to furnish negative Covid-19 reports that are not older than 72 hours at the time of arrival.
The decision comes in the wake of fresh cases rising in the neighbouring state. The rule has been in place for weeks now for people arriving from Kerala. Incidentally, travellers from Maharashtra arriving in the state also have to furnish Covid-19 negative reports.
The negative report rule for travellers from Tamil Nadu will kick in from Sunday. Chamarajanagar district administration has intensified screening of people at Punajanur checkpost, Naal Road near Ardhanipura and the checkpost at Palar in Hanur taluk on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.
Travellers who do not submit Covid-19 negative reports on arrival will be turned back. The rule also applies to drivers of vehicles carrying fruit and vegetables and other essential commodities between the states.
However, those who have been fully vaccinated (both doses) are exempt, but they must produce their vaccination certificate at the border to enter. Health authorities are also thermal screening travellers at checkposts.
As per directions from state health authorities, the district administration has stepped up vigil on people visiting tourist places, waterfalls and temples, including Malemahadeshwara Hills in Hanur taluk and Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Hills in the wake of the increase in cases. Distribution of prasadam and mass feeding has been stopped in these temples.
Over the past few weeks, visitors to tourist spots has burgeoned, especially on weekends, prompting the district administration to impose curbs even before the state government announced weekend curfew in all border districts.
Chamarajanagar district administration is also restricting devotees gathering for special puja days. People staying in jungle resorts and other resorts run by the state forest department must also carry Covid-19 negative reports.
“Besides these measures, the district administration has also restricted attendance at inaugural functions, including government programmes, public meetings and other potential superspreader events to check the spread of the virus in the district,” said Dr MC Ravi, Chamarajanagar district health officer.