COVID-19: Karnataka govt asks railways to test passengers from Kerala, Maharashtra entering state

In order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state, the Karnataka government has taken some strict measures. It has requested the Railways to ensure all passengers travelling from Kerala and Maharashtra undergo compulsory testing for the COVID-19 virus before they board trains coming to the state.

Kerala and Maharashtra are the worst COVID-19 affected states in the country with Kerala accounting for about 50% of the daily coronavirus cases in the country. Maharashtra remained the worst affected COVID-19 state of India during both the first and second waves. 

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said in his press statement that people who directly travelled from Maharashtra and Kerala to Bengaluru caused a spike in the COVID-19 cases in the state. Chief Secretary of Karnakata has already spoken to the Indian Railway officials regarding this.

Basavaraj Bommai who recently took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka also informed that the state government is taking all necessary steps to stop the third wave of the COVID-19. He added that if there is any surge in cases, more precautionary measures would be taken. 

Karnataka reported 1,186 new cases of COVID-19 on August 9 along with 24 deaths. With the new numbers, the COVID-19 tally of the state rose to 29,19,711 while the fatality numbers mounted to 36,817. The state also saw 1,776 discharges and 28,59,552 recoveries. Karnataka currently has 23,316 active cases.