Karnataka: Malls, theatres out of bounds for those not fully vaccinated

The order copy on fresh guidelines issued Friday mentioned entry to malls, cinema halls and theatres shall be allowed only to persons who are vaccinated with two doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) marshals ask citizens to wear a mask amid fear of spread of a new variant of COVID-19, in Bengaluru, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.(PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

The Karnataka government on Friday made malls and theatres out of bounds for people who haven’t taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The new measure came after the detection of two Omicron cases in Bengaluru — the first in the country.

“Entry to malls, cinema halls/theatres shall be allowed only to persons who are vaccinated with two doses of COVID 19 vaccine,” the government said in an order issued by Tushar Girinath, Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department. People working in government offices must also be vaccinated with both doses, the Karnataka government has stated.

Also Read | Bengaluru: 10 who arrived from southern African countries untraceable, says BBMP

Among other measures, the government has called for the postponement of all cultural activities in educational institutions till January 15 and limited participants at gatherings to 500.

“Parents of children below 18 years who are going to school/college should be compulsorily vaccinated with two doses,” say the new guidelines.

Also Read | Karnataka to probe Covid report that allowed traveller with Omicron variant to fly out

A local resident and a traveller from South Africa, both fully vaccinated, were found to have the Omicron variant.

Five contacts of the local resident, a doctor, have tested positive.

“In order to strictly enforce the core requirement of masking and in case of the violation the municipal agency Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), district authorities and local authorities are directed to impose a fine of Rs 250 in municipal corporation Areas and Rs 100 in other areas,” the government said. State Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said one of the priorities of the government was to track 57 passengers who had gone off the radar of the Health Department after arriving from countries in southern Africa.

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“As per the advice of the Covid Technical Committee, a special ICU and ward will be provided for the Omicron infected. Those who are infected with the Delta variant will be treated in a separate ward,” he said.

Bengaluru Police told to file complaint

The Karnataka government has directed Bengaluru civic officials to register a police complaint to probe a Covid-19 negative test report provided to a traveler from South Africa — one of the two people to test positive for the Omicron variant of the virus.

The 66-year-old South African national, who came to Bengaluru on November 20, tested positive during tests at the airport and had been staying at a five-star hotel in central Bengaluru. On November 23, he is reported to have obtained a test report from a private lab indicating a Covid-19 negative status, which allowed him to return to South Africa on November 27.

Karnataka on Thursday reported that the 66-year-old had tested positive for the Omicron variant. On Friday, minister R Ashok said, “We have issued directions to the BBMP commissioner to register a complaint… We want an investigation to find out if the lab had reported the findings of the test in a correct manner or not.”

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