Fear of Covid spike as people return from long distances after holiday

BENGALURU: With hordes of people coming back to the city after the New Year holiday at other destinations, fears of a rise in Covid-19 cases has increased among the people.

After the Union government cautioned states to be prepared for a surge, the Karnataka government is on high alert. The government had also issued advisories to wear masks, maintain social distancing and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour during the New Year’s Eve revelry in the city, but many ignored it.

The central government had warned that the 40 day period from late December would be crucial in the fight against Covid-19. Following this, the state government to made preparations by earmarking beds and other facilities in hospitals. Random testing of international travellers is being done at the Kempegowda International Airport and those with symptoms are being advised home isolation. Recently, the government issued guidelines stating that people coming from high-risk countries have to mandatorily be in home quarantine for a week.

The government has made wearing of masks mandatory at public places like theatres, restaurants and indoor facilities which are centrally air-conditioned. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is conducting about 6,000 tests daily against a target of 5,000 tests, and if the number of positive cases increase, the testing will be ramped up. The government is also keeping a close watch on the Covid positive trend and a clearer picture should be available in a week’s time.