Govt to ‘wait and watch’ before deciding on lockdown/curfew: CM
Yediyurappa says state will wait to see what PM Modi says on March 17
BENGALURU:
Implicitly underlining his earlier stance that hinted at stricter measures in the wake of a resurgence in coronavirus infections in Karnataka, and especially in Bengaluru, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa told reporters after a meeting of the Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Monday that the government had not yet taken any decision on (another) lockdown or imposition of a curfew.
The CM further said that the state government would apprise the Centre and take its consent before taking any (lockdown/curfew) decision.
To avoid #lockdown and maintain economic balance ,Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa @CMofKarnataka requests public to wear masks & follow social distancing .As of now,no question of lockdown.People coming from #Maharashtra & #Kerala must have #Covid_19 negative certificate pic.twitter.com/mj10oFoEO8
— yasir mushtaq (@path2shah) March 15, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to virtually discuss the Covid situation with all chief ministers on Wednesday, March 17. “We will get a clear picture after the meeting. We will also understand what advice or guidelines the Prime Minister is expected to give the states,” Yediyurappa said.
Also Read: Covid-19: PM Modi to Hold Meeting with All CMs on Wednesday https://thebengalurulive.com/covid-19-pm-modi-to-hold-meeting-with-all-cms-on-wednesday/
TAC review
The TAC on Monday took stock of the Covid-19 situation in the state, with particular reference to the districts of Bengaluru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Udupi and Belagavi where cases have spiked in the last one week, and reviewed the authorities’ preparedness.
Also Read: Experts see spike in COVID cases as indication of second wave, advise strict measures: CM https://thebengalurulive.com/experts-see-spike-in-covid-cases-as-indication-of-second-wave-advise-strict-measures-cm/
“We have instructed district administrations to compulsorily cap large gatherings or congregations of people at 500 for events like marriages, religious jatras or political meetings,” the CM said.
Just a day earlier, Yediyurappa had on Sunday called on citizens to “cooperate and follow Covid guidelines”, and had hinted that in the alternative the government may have to take “harsh steps” like imposing a lockdown.
Migrants blamed
A senior BBMP official said Covid cases were hitherto under control in Bengaluru city but “people visiting the city and migrants coming back” were bringing in fresh infections.
Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar had said recently that “the month of March is crucial for Karnataka,” adding, “The Covid-19 situation has been well-managed so far. But increasing cases in Maharashtra and Kerala are worrying us a lot.”
Since the last several weeks, Bengaluru was averaging 200-250 cases daily, whereas in the last fortnight the number of fresh infections has jumped to 700-800 cases every day.
Also Read: Cooperate, if you don’t want another COVID-19 lockdown: Karnataka CM to people https://thebengalurulive.com/cooperate-if-you-dont-want-another-covid-19-lockdown-karnataka-cm-to-people/
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