The Karnataka government has exempted travelers from the United Kingdom, other European countries and the Middle East from the mandatory COVID-19 RT-PCR test at state airports. Passengers from these countries can provide samples and leave the airports for further compliance as per standard operating procedures.
However, passengers arriving from South Africa and Brazil will continue to be tested at airports and will have to wait for the results. If negative, they can go out of the airport.
The government took this decision following the recommendations of the state’s Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee and the Centre’s guidelines.
Meanwhile, Karnataka on Tuesday reported 1,259 new Covid-19 cases and 29 related deaths, taking the total number of cases to 29,41,026 and the toll to 37,184. State capital Bengaluru reported 295 cases and 11 deaths.
Of the new cases, there were 155 alpha versions (b.1.1.7), seven beta (b.1.351), 1,089 deltas (b.1.617.2), four. Delta Plus (b.1.617.2.1 or ay.1), 159 kappa (b.1.617.1) and one eta (b.1.525), according to the state health bulletin.
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