Cooperate, if you dont want another COVID-19 lockdown: Karna CM to people
Expressing concern over spike infresh COVID-19 cases, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappaon Sunday said the pandemic seemed to be going out of controlin the state and asked people to cooperate by adhering to thepreventive measures if they dont want another lockdown.
“I appeal to the people with folded hands forcooperation…. if people cooperate Im confident that withoutlockdown we can control,” he said, announcing that he hasconvened a meeting of experts and officials on Monday in thewake of the spurt in fresh cases in recent days.
His appeal comes in the backdrop of lockdown beingclamped in parts of neighbouring Maharashtra recently in viewof sharp rise in fresh cases there.
Earlier, the nation-wide lockdown imposed in March lastyear was relaxed in phases under Unlock guidelines and theKarnataka has allowed almost all activities.
For the first time since January 22, the daily COVID-19cases in Karnatkaa crossed the 900 mark on Saturday. Itreported 921 cases with 630 of them from Bengaluru Urbandistrict alone.
Since Monday last, over 4,300 new cases have beendetected in the state, whose cumulative COVID-19 tally stoodat 9,59,338 including 12,387 deaths and 9,38,890 discharges.
The active cases, which hovered around 4,000-5,000 lastmonth, touched 8,042 active cases, reflecting the rise.
“Since last one month COVID seems to be going out ofcontrol, day-by-day the number of cases are increasing. So Ihave called a meeting of experts tomorrow,” Yediyurappa toldreporters here.
He also said the government has fixed a limit on thenumber of people allowed to attend gatherings like marriages,and action will be taken in accordance with law in case of anyviolation.
“My appeal to people is that if you dont want lockdownand want all activities to continue as it is going on now,people have to cooperate by wearing masks and maintainingdistance,” the Chief Minister said.
Noting that cases were increasing day-by-day inMaharashtra, he said, all efforts were being made to controlthe spread from travellers coming to the state from there.
Responding to a question whether the government isthinking about measures like lockdown or night curfew,Yediyurappa said, “as of now there are no such plans, ifpeople cooperate and things come under control, we dont wantto impose lockdown, as it will hamper day-to-day activities.
“We have suffered in the past (due to lockdown). I willnot allow it, but people will have to cooperate.” The Chief Ministers office said he has called a meetingof officials and health experts at 5 pm on Monday at VidhanaSoudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat.
The government was thinking about stricter measures forthose travelling from neighboring states to control COVIDspread, Yediyurappa, in response to a question said, it willbe discussed at the meeting.
“I have had a meeting with the Chief Secretary regardingmeasures that can be taken. We will tighten things as much aspossible,” he added.
The Chief Minister also said he has called a meeting ofMinisters on Monday morning to discuss the functioning of thegovernment and regarding the working together in responding tothe needs of the people, as the legislature session is on.
In the wake of a spike in cases in the state, thegovernment on Friday had put a cap on the number of people whocan gather at events and celebrations like marriages.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Jawaid Akhtar in acircular has said the measure has been taken amid theemergence of new clusters and fear of a second wave of thepandemic.
As per new rules, 500 people will be allowed at marriagesif it is an open space, and only 200 if it is a hall or aclosed space.
Similarly for birthday celebrations, the limit would be100 and 50 respectively for functions in open and closedspaces.
A similar cap has been specified for funerals. However,at cremations and burials, only 50 are allowed.
A maximum of 500 people will be allowed for religiousand political gatherings in open spaces.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)