Belagavi: The COVID-19 and Omicron variant cases have spiked in the country in the last week, especially in neighbouring Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai. People living in the border areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra have business links. Therefore, officials have been told to keep a strict vigil at Belagavi, Vijayapura, Mysuru, Mangaluru and other districts bordering Maharashtra and also Kerala, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Speaking to reporters here at Sambra Airport in Belagavi yesterday, Bommai said, “People travelling to the State should have a double vaccination certificate and are insisting on a negative RT-PCR test certificate. Some travellers may face inconvenience. But these steps are unavoidable in view of the health of the people of the State.”

 He said: “We have to be prepared to face any possible situation besides prevention. There was a shortage of oxygen during the first and second wave of the pandemic in the State. Therefore, I have discussed with the medical oxygen manufacturing companies and ensured proper supply.”

The Government has now contacted the oxygen plants to supply oxygen to the State, the Chief Minister said adding, the hospitals have been asked to spruce up their oxygen plants and ICU beds. “I have directed the officials to increase 4,000 more ICU beds. We are also making preparations for adequate medicines,” he said.