Karnataka state relaxes travel norms: No quarantine or registration on Seva Sindhu

Bengaluru: The state government has relaxed its COVID-19 prevention norms regarding inter-state travel. As announced by the government on Monday, there will no longer be a mandated quarantine period, no registration will be required and no incoming travellers’ hands will be stamped.

Monday’s development comes after the Union Government issued a circular on Saturday to the Chief Secretaries of all the states, informing them that there shall no longer be any restrictions on the movement of people and goods within and between states.

Henceforth, all asymptomatic travellers can report for work or continue their activities in Karnataka having to self-quarantine for 14 days at home.

“However, they shall self monitor their health for 14 days from the date of their arrival for any symptoms of COVID-19 like fever, cough, cold, throat pain, difficulty in breathing, etc and immediately seek medical consultation without fail or call Apthamitra helpline 14410,” Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary to Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department said a revised circular.

Additionally, inter-state travellers no longer have to register themselves on the Seva Sindhu portal, nor will they have to undergo mandatory medical check up when entering the state borders. They also don’t need to get a medical chec-up to enter the bus, airport or rail stations.

“This revised Circular shall apply to all inter-state travellers arriving in Karnataka from all States/UTs including business travellers, students, labourers coming for work, transit travellers, etc. irrespective of their purpose of visit or duration of stay in the state. Deputy Commissioners of all Districts / Commissioner, BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) are hereby instructed to implement this with immediate effect and without any deviations at district levels,” the statement added.

The revised circular also discontinues the “enforcement of home quarantine including poster on home door, information to neighbours/ Resident Welfare Association/Apartment Owners’ Associations, monitoring from Panchayat/ ward level teams, flying Squad, IVRS call-centre outbound calls, quarantine watch app monitoring”.

Those with symptoms, however, should self-isolate immediately and seek medical consultation without fail. They can also call the Apthamitra helpline 14410, the circular added.

Source: NK