Lockdown in Karnataka? CM Basavaraj Bommai makes BIG statement as Omicron fear spreads

On Monday,  Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, amid the new COVID-19 variant Omicron fears, said that as of now, there was no proposal to impose lockdown in the state. CM Bommai said in a statement, "We have instructed for strict precautions at schools and colleges, but not to close them. There is no proposal to impose a lockdown." 

Addressing media persons in Davanagere, he urged the people not to panic about Omicron, the new strain of COVID-19, and strictly follow the guidelines laid down by the government. 

"Those arriving from the Omicron prevalent countries are being screened at the airports. They are being allowed into the cities only if found negative on testing. COVID-19 negative report had been made mandatory for students from Kerala who are studying in Karnataka and a second test is being done for them on the 7th day of the first negative report," Bommai said.

The state government is in constant consultation with experts and the Union government, and precautions are being taken according to their guidelines, he added.

On a question about a person who arrived from South Africa found to be having different symptoms, Bommai said, "The test report of the person has been sent for genome sequencing. The exact variant of the virus would be known from the genome sequencing report."

He also said that the state government is awaiting the instructions from the Centre on administering a booster dose of the vaccine. "Our concern is that it is already over 6 months since the health workers received two doses of the vaccine. We will act according to directions from the Centre," CM Bommai said.