Karnataka Makes Masks Mandatory Indoors, Covid Tests Must For Flu Symptoms

In view of a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 in countries like China, the state government had said it would review its preparedness and the measures to be taken.

Face masks will be a must in closed spaces and air-conditioned rooms in Karnataka, the state government said on Thursday, amid a nationwide alert over a new variant of the coronavirus that has triggered a spike in COVID-19 cases in China and a few other countries.

The government also decided to conduct mandatory testing of Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in the state.

The two per cent random testing of international passengers arriving in the state will continue until revised directions from the Centre, state Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said. All samples from positive patients will be sent to the labs for genomic sequencing.

"We are going to issue an advisory to wear masks in indoor locations, closed spaces and air-conditioned rooms. Also, there will be mandatory testing of ILI and SARI cases across Karnataka," Mr Sudhakar said, briefing reporters after a meeting led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on COVID-19.