Bengaluru: Since one Omicron virus has been found in a passenger who arrived from South Africa, the Karnataka government has decided to keep watch on the passengers who come from abroad.

The state government categorically denied imposing lockdown or partial lockdown to combat the Omicron virus.

Omicron a new variant has been found in 12 countries, thus the state government has instructed BBMP health officials to track the passengers who arrived from South Africa.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister B.C.Nagesh too said that there proposal before the government to the closure of the schools, which has restarted just two months back. “Government will not order for closure of schools due to Omicron virus”, Minister said.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. K.Sudhakar said that, passengers have arrived from abroad including South Africa since the Omicron virus has been found in 12 countries including India, special care has been taken to track the passengers who come from South Africa. The government has taken precautions in this regard, Mr. Sudhakar said.

Minister has called for a special meeting on Tuesday, senior officers, doctors, virologists, technical advisory committee experts will attend the meeting. The government will hold discussions with all stakeholders and will prepare guidelines after taking inputs from the experts, Mr. Sudhakar added.

Health Minister has requested the people not to panic about false and unconfirmed news about the lockdown. After lockdown, normalcy was restored. However, fake news has been circulated on social media about Lockdown. But there is no such proposal before the government. There is no need to panic, meanwhile, the government will spread awareness to the people about the new mutant coronavirus, he said.

Minister has also clarified that the new variant has not much dangerous than the previous Delta virus. After December first week, much details will be available about the Omicron virus, Mr. Sudhakar replied to a question.