Omicron impact: Entry to apartment complexes in Bengaluru only for double-vaccinated

Now, three positive cases in an area will make a cluster

Karnataka Government has told residential associations to conduct meetings on their premises only with people who have taken two doses of the vaccine against COVID-19.

The Karnataka Government has told all apartment owners’ associations to allow entry into their premises only people who have taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It has also told associations to allow gatherings on their premises only of people who have taken both the doses.

This comes a day after the Government announced that only double-vaccinated people will be allowed into all public spaces including malls, cinemas, etc.

Cluster norms

Briefing mediapersons about the steps taken by the Government for containment of Omicron variant of the coronavirus in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said with two confirmed cases, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been told to declare a cluster when there are three cases of infections in an apartment complex or an area at the same time. Earlier, the criterion was 10 infections.

Noting two types of clusters – educational institutions and housing complexes in Bengaluru – the Chief Minister has directed the civic agency and the Health and Family Welfare Department to be on high alert to contain the spread of the disease in the city. With vaccination hesitancy being reported in some places, the BBMP has been told to intensify the drive in Bengaluru.

Treatment protocol

Mr. Bommai said, during the meeting on Saturday, he had directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to obtain a comprehensive report on treatment protocols for Omicron. “Only a preliminary report has been received. I have instructed the department to get a comprehensive report on providing treatment for the new variant of the virus,” the Chief Minister said.

Instructions have been given to conduct COVID-19 tests for all students and staff of nursing and para-medical institutions. Testing has been made mandatory for health workers, persons aged above 65 years and people with co-morbidities, he said.

Mr. Bommai said the winter session of the State legislature would be held from December 13 to 24 in Belagavi by strictly following COVID-19 norms.