Karnataka not allowing travellers vaccinated with two doses to cross border, strong protests

THALAPADY: Travellers are having a tough time following the curbs tightened by Karnataka at the border due to the surge of Covid cases in Kerala. The Karnataka police are not permitting travellers having taken two doses of the vaccine to cross the border. Only those with an RTPCR negative certificate issued before 72 hours are allowed to cross the border. Karnataka had yesterday said that those who have taken two doses of the vaccine will be allowed to cross the border. However, vaccinated people are not allowed to cross the border today. Top officials said the vaccine is for self-defense but a negative certificate is mandatory to prevent the disease from spreading to others.

The travellers protested following the tightening of curbs. Vehicles to Kerala are being blocked under the leadership of the locals. Karnataka has deployed a strong contingent of police at the Thalappady check post. Many including top officials have reached the check post. Karnataka is of the stand that those who do not have adequate documents will not be allowed to cross the border for any reason. There are reports that the police have arrested some who protested.

Karnataka also closed the Covid testing center at the Thalappady check post. Their stand is that those who need it should do the RTPCR test from Kerala itself. They also warned that checking will be tightened at other borders in the coming days. Meantime, students going to write the exams are allowed to travel. Students who show the hall ticket and the institution's identity card are allowed to cross the border.

Tamil Nadu has also tightened checking on the Walayar border. Those having RTPCR negative certificate and vaccinated with two doses are allowed to cross the border. A Covid testing center has also been set up near the check post. Tamil Nadu has also decided to tighten checking in the coming days.

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had informed yesterday that the curbs are tightened following the surge in Covid cases in Kerala. In the early stages of Covid too, the restrictions on the Karnataka border were tightened.