KOCHI: Karnataka on Wednesday reiterated its stand in the high court that it would not open its border with Kerala for fear of Covid 19 spread. The Karnataka AG submitted this in the court in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Kerala in the court.

“Mangaluru was declared as Red Zone on Wednesday morning. Not only that, we can’t allow more people to enter Mangaluru and Kodagu. Karnataka has taken such a decision as the crisis is deepening in the state. But we shall reconsider Kerala’s demand if the Central government asks us to do so,” the AG said.

In the affidavit submitted by Kerala in the high court, Kerala condemned Karnataka’s decision to prohibit even patients from crossing the border. “Six persons died as they were denied treatment in Mangaluru,” it added.

Meanwhile, the high court has instructed Karnataka to find a solution to the problem by 5pm on Wednesday. The Centre has also intervened in the issue. It informed the court that the chief secretaries of Kerala and Karnataka would discuss the matter.