Mangaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai directed district administration to take all precautionary measures needed to check the spread of Covid-19 in Dakshina Kannada district.

During a video conference meeting with the CM, Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V said that 17 medical oxygen generation units were being set up in the district. The work on eight units have been completed. The remaining units will be completed within two weeks, he added.

Bommai said that it is a challenge to control covid cases in Dakshina Kannada as the district shares its border with Kerala, where the cases are on rise. Hundreds of people arrive in Dakshina Kannada from Kerala daily. Strict measures should be taken for the next 15 days, he told Rajendra.

The chief minister also directed City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar to strengthen surveillance at check posts in border areas. Additional police personnel should be deployed at the check posts.

“All those arriving from Kerala should possess RT-PCR negative certificate which is not older than 72 hours. The Covid-19 negative certificates of daily commuters should be verified once in seven days. Rapid Antigen Test should be conducted on those arriving in trains at railway stations. The Covid testing counters should be increased at the railway stations.

The CM also directed the deputy commissioner and police officers to ensure strict adherence to covid appropriate behaviour among public. There is a need to create awareness on the use of masks. The officials should inspect the border areas frequently.

Rajendra said that all those students arriving from Kerala to hostels will be made to remain in quarantine for a week. As many as 12 check posts have been set up in border areas in the district, he added.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr Kumar, DK SP Rishikesh Sonawane and others were present.