No more lockdowns in K’taka, curbs only in containment zones: CM (Ld)
Bengaluru, July 21 (IANS) In an address to the people of Karnataka through television news channels and social media platforms, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Tuesday said there would be no more lockdowns in the southern state from Wednesday.
“As lockdown is not a solution to defeat COVID-19, there will not be anymore lockdown in Bengaluru or anywhere in Karnataka,” Yediyurappa told the people in a 20-minute address in Kannada from here.
The nine-day renewed lockdown in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts ends at 5a.m. on Wednesday.
“The only way to fight corona virus pandemic is to compulsorily wear mask, wash hands and maintain social distancing by every citizen. Each citizen has to take care of his/her health by strictly following the guidelines,” asserted the Chief Minister.
Restrictions on movement of people and vehicles will continue in containment areas across Bengaluru and cities and towns where more Covid cases are reported.
Admitting that there was a delay in getting test reports earlier, Yediyurappa said steps have been taken to ensure they (reports) were delivered in 24 hours.
“We have been taking measures to contain the virus spread in the state since mid-March and control the situation in hotspots. A real-time dashboard has been set up to track beds for COVID-19 patients,” the Chief Minister reiterated.
Referring to reports of Covid positive patients attempting to commit suicide, Yediyurappa appealed to them not to resort to drastic action but recover soon.
Refuting the opposition Congress charges of irregularities and corruption in the purchase of medical equipment, Yediyurappa said not a rupee had been misappropriated and all expenditure had been accounted for.
“I appeal to the opposition to make constructive criticism but not hinder our work and service to the people in this hour of crisis. This is not the time to bicker but cooperate with the government in fighting the pandemic,” he added.
Noting that reviving the state’s economy and restoring near normal life were equally important, Yediyurappa said the people have to adopt to the new norm of wearing mask, maintaining physical distancing and avoid crowds when outside.
“The onus of avoiding the infection is on every citizen across the state, especially in Bengaluru, which has 120-lakh population, with maximum movement of people, vehicles and activities. As prevention is better than cure, each person is responsible for taking care of his/her health,” he pointed out.
Observing that life and livelihood have to be taken care of by everybody, the Chief Minister advised the people to go out of house or travel only if it was must to avoid being exposed to the virus and till a vaccine to treat it is found.
“Though we were able to contain the pandemic during the extended lockdown from March 25 to May 31, positive cases surged since unlock 1.0 began June 1 and shot up from July 1 when unlock 2.0 began due to violation of lockdown guidelines by the people and virus spread by those returning from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which are the worst hit by the Covid,” he recalled.
Expressing confidence that the state would win the war over the pandemic, the Chief Minister said trace, track, test, treat and technology would be the 5T mantra of his government in reducing the virus fallout.
“Strict action, including hefty fine will be levied on violators of guidelines. All have to cooperate with the state authorities like police, healthcare personnel and officials in following the safety guidelines,” Yediyurappa noted.
Seeking cooperation of opposition leaders Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar of the Congress and H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in jointly fighting against the virus spread, the Chief Minister he would implement any advice or suggestion they give for restoring normalcy at the earliest.
Yediyurappa also advised senior citizens above 60 years and children below 10 years to avoid going out to prevent being exposed to the virus and getting infected by it.
With 3,649 positive cases on Tuesday, the southern state’s Covid tally touched a whopping 71,069, including 44,140 active after 25,459 were discharged till date, with 1,664 during the last 24 hours, while 1,464 succumbed to the virus, with 61 since Monday.
Of the new cases, 1,714 were reported from Bengaluru, taking its tally to 34,943, including 26,746 active after 7,476 were discharged so far, with 520 in the last 24 hours, while 720 succumbed to the infection, with 22 in the day.
According to the state health department bulletin, of the 43,904 samples tested during the day, 35,780 turned negative, while 1,23,900 primary and secondary contacts were under observation across the state.
–IANS
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