The Karnataka health department on Tuesday withdrew its circular mandating seven-day home quarantine for asymptomatic international passengers arriving from high-risk countries China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea.
Amid a surge in infections in several countries, the state revised its Covid-19 guidelines on Saturday. In a statement, the government said, “international travellers from high-risk countries need to be home quarantined for seven days from the date of their arrival.”
“Once tested positive, the infected people are to be treated and managed as per the State Covid protocol,” it said in a circular, following recommendation by the state Covid-19 technical advisory committee (TAC).
However, in a fresh circular on January 2, the health department said the previous circular was withdrawn, and the Union government guidelines on international passengers should be followed.
“The guidelines for International Arrivals as issued by Govt. of India, MoH & FW, Dated: 29th Dec 2022, cited at reference (1) should be complied with by the International Passengers arriving to Karnataka, until further orders. The even number circular, issued earlier on 31st Dec 2022 stands withdrawn,” the new circular said.
“The concerned Health authorities at BBMP & Districts and Airport Authorities are hereby instructed to follow the above-mentioned Govt. of India guidelines for International Arrivals,” the circular added.
According to the Centre’s guidelines, a negative coronavirus report is a must for passengers transiting through China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand, irrespective of their originating countries, before landing at any Indian airport.
The new circular, however, does not mention the reasons for the withdrawal. T K Anil Kumar, principal secretary (health) said that the state health department was falling in line with the GoI guidelines and hence, the circular was withdrawn.
“We are aligning ourselves with the government of India guidelines. Before December 29, there was no circular from the central government. Once the circular from GoI came, we have taken cognizance and aligned accordingly,” Kumar said.
According to the Centre’s guidelines, the Covid-19 test must be conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India. The negative report from the RT-PCR test must be uploaded on the Air Suvidha portal before their departure.
“This will also apply to transiting passengers through the countries irrespective of their originating countries before coming to any Indian airports,” the health ministry said in a letter addressed to the secretary at the ministry of civil aviation.
