BELAGAVI
In a manor relief to Goans travelling to Belagavi and other parts of Karnataka, the Karnataka government has discontinued the mandatory RT-PCR negative test report for those arriving from Goa and Kerala.
Travellers from these two States will, however, have to present their full vaccination certificates.
Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Thursday announced that passengers entering Karnataka from Kerala and Goa via any mode of transportation, would no longer be asked to furnish a negative RT-PCR report before entering the State.
An order to this effect was issued by Tushar Giri Nath, principal revenue secretary to Karnataka on Thursday evening. The decision has been taken as cases and positivity rate in the state is declining, Nath has stated in the order.
Meanwhile, businessmen and entrepreneurs from Belagavi have heaved a sigh of relief as they expect that the number of Goans visiting Belagavi is likely to rise from next few days.
“The order has come as a big relief as the wedding season is on the anvil. With the freedom to enter Karnataka, Belagavi market is likely to flourish,” a leading showroom owner said.
Apart from inconvenience, compulsion of RT-PCR negative report had led to a few corrupt practices as the commuters were reportedly being fleeced at the border.
