It’s back to hard lockdown in Bengaluru’s Covid clusters
At review, CM dismayed at rising cases and Bengalureans’ ‘casual’ approach
Quarantine breakers face FIR; officials to spruce up Covid lodges; cases to be hospitalized without delay
BENGALURU:
Unlock.1 will give way to a strict lockdown in clusters in Bengaluru which are seeing a worrying growth in Covid-positive cases, especially in KR Market and surrounding areas like Siddapura, VV Puram and Kalasipalya. Wherever cases are reported, the adjoining streets too will be sealed.
This was one of the major decisions taken after a review meeting that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa held with ministers and senior officials on the worrying rise in coronavirus cases in Bengaluru.
The CM expressed concern at the alarming increase in infections in the state capital, and opined that the trend could only be contained if preventive measures are implemented strictly. He also reportedly expressed dismay at the casual approach by many residents to precautionary measures like wearing masks and observing social distancing ever since the lockdown ended earlier this month.
The CM directed the officials concerned to oversee strict implementation of preventive measures, and warned that strict action would be taken against quarantine violators, including filing of FIRs.
But work should go on…
As a caveat, Yediyurappa observed that the virus should be contained without affecting the newly-resumed economic activities in Bengaluru.
The following are the other decisions taken at the meeting:
- Officials have been directed to fix rates for treatment of Covid patients in private hospitals.
- Fever clinics will be set up in all BBMP wards.
- Officials have been directed to maintain hygiene and provide basic amenities to persons quarantined in social welfare hostels and other government institutions.
- Booth-level officers and volunteers to trace contacts of positive cases and monitor quarantined persons.
- The Covid war room should have real-time information on availability of beds in various Covid hospitals and should facilitate treatment for infected cases without losing any time.
Among those who participated in the review meeting were Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Revenue Minister R. Ashoka, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Chief Secretary T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Vandita Sharma and Additional Chief Secretary in the Health Department Jawaid Akthar.
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