Mangaluru: Following increase in the number of Novel Coronavirus cases in Kerala, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K V Rajendra on Sunday ordered closing of all interstate borders, except four major entry points. These entry points include Talapady in Mangaluru taluk, Saradka in Bantwal taluk, Nettanige-Mudnur in Puttur taluk and Jalsoor in Sullia taluk.

Passengers from Kerala will have to enter Karnataka and return via four check posts, while all other entry points will remain closed from Monday, said Dr Rajendra, who is also the Chairman of the Dakshina Kannada District Disaster Management Authority.

Health department will deploy teams in all four check posts to screen passengers entering the district. All passengers entering the district should compulsorily obtain a COVID-19 negative certificate, 72 hours prior to their journey. They will be allowed to enter only after showing the negative reports.

Meanwhile, details of all passengers from Kerala will be entered and the same will be sent to the tahsildars, taluk panchayat executive officers and health officials of the respective taluks.

Tahsildars of the respective areas will make arrangements, while police teams also will be deployed, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Those arriving in buses should also compulsorily show COVID-19 negative certificates. A separate data of daily commuters from Kerala, including students and those working in various firms, will be collected. They will have to produce COVID-19 negative certificates and also undergo tests once in 15 days, he added.