Will Karnataka see more curbs after Omicron cases? New SOP likely today

As Karnataka became the first state to report the first Omicron cases of Omicron in India, the state is on high alert and new SOPs are likely to be announced. The primary and the secondary contacts of these two Omicron cases have been tested and kept under watch. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai who was in New Delhi will fly to Bengaluru and chair a high-level meeting on Friday to discuss the measures to be taken in the state in the light of the two Omicron cases. "We are conducting contact tracing. I will be holding a meeting with health experts at 1pm today. I have spoken to Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, he will get back to me with some guidelines," the chief minister said.

Karnataka has already imposed several restrictions on international travellers and people coming to the state from bordering states. Educational institutes have also been asked to to suspend any kind of public events. New SOPs are likely to be announced on Friday, following the chief minister's meeting with the experts. However, it is unlikely that there will be any lockdown as the chief minister earlier ruled out the possibility of imposing any lockdown. “There is no question of imposing the lockdown now. Normal life should go on," the chief minister said before Karnataka confirmed two Omicron cases. 

In the recent past, Karnataka has seen a spurt in cluster outbreaks of Covid infections. Regular tests are being carried out in such clusters.

The health ministry on Thursday said there is no need to panic over Omicron as surveillance is going on. Announcing the cases found in the state on Twitter, Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar wrote, "People can carry on with their day-to-day activities with strict adherence to covid appropriate behaviour."

Unlike many other countrues which have imposed travel restrictions from Covid-affected countries, India has not imposed any travel curbs, though protocols are being revised and strengthened.