Bengaluru, Mar 19: The Karnataka government has extended the statewide coronavirus shutdown till March 31 as the number of positive cases rose to 14, of whom 11 are those who came in from foreign countries.
In an emergency Cabinet meeting, the state government set up a task force of four ministers to lead the defence against the virus. This core team will have Rs 200 crore to orchestrate the combat.
When chief minister B S Yediyurappa announced the shutdown last week, it was to be in force until March 21, but it was always unlikely that the Covid-19 scare would have waned by then.
Several more restrictions were announced today. Quarantine will be mandatory for all passengers arriving from foreign countries. While schools, colleges and business establishments will continue to be closed, restrictions have been extended to marriages, fairs and social functions as well.
Public entry to Vidhana Soudha, Vikas Soudha and the M.S. Building has been barred till March 31.
While setting up the task force, the government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for the coronavirus campaign. The chief minister said there is no dearth of funds for fighting the virus.
The task force will have deputy chief minister Ashwathnarayana, home minister Basavaraj Bommai, medical education minister Sudhakar, health and family welfare minister B Sreeramulu and chief secretary T M Vijaybhaskar. Sreeramulu will head the task force.
The task force will monitor coronavirus cases on a daily basis and orchestrate the response of all stakeholders. It will issue a daily bulletin on the epidemic and also run awareness campaigns.
With quarantine now mandatory for passengers coming in foreign countries, community centres, hotels, convention centres, resorts and even PGs will be rented to accommodate the new arrivals.
The compulsory quarantine will be for 15 days.
A quarantine stamp will be imprinted on the right hand of passengers coming in from foreign countries.
Since the Centre has relaxed the rules for using SDRF funds, the state government will draw from it to contain the pandemic; therefore, there will be more funds available to all districts, chief minister B S Yediyurappa said in the Assembly.
In further measures, all passengers and suspected Covid-19 cases will be tracked by their mobile phones.
Primary stage
“We are in the first and second stages of the epidemic. The virus is still at a primary stage and has not spread to community level," medical education minister Sudhakar said in the Assembly.
"It is important that we do not let the epidemic enter the third stage. It is possible if we implement stringent measures. People have responded positively to the state government’s measures and are cooperating with our decisions," Sudhakar said.
Comments
Dear Rakesh.
We know how brain is working after cheddi media & teaching have affected U.. and 95% of the cases charged are still not proved and the cheddi authorities are playing with the dumb spectaters like U who support them without your own investigation on the cases which still did not give any proof..... anyway A day will come to judge such cases where innocents have been trapped and the one who gave us this life will judge and on that day no cheddis will come to your rescue for your blind support now. Which U will regret for not using your god given intellectual. Try to know the reality and study on cheddi deception.
Rakesh,
Jamate Islami Hind an institution have no connection with Simi. SIMI is a independent institution which banned now. Its a student movement like ABVP. Jamate Islami Hind have student wing is SIO. I don't know where you got the information that he was with SIMI. Can you furnish the details about the Syed Qasim was with SIMI, failing which you will have apologize in this forum for non authentic information.
SQR Ilyasi we are with you...A goonda coward who is sitting abroad is preaching Hindutva patriotism ..As a Muslim we are not scared of these death threats
this man was with SIMI ... what else we can expect from his son ? Mr Abdullah , clarification , not India , it is muslims only and some left mentally retards . May be he has support from pakistan .
No worry ... India With U. Jai Hind.
Dont worry guys.... for the threats
Allah gives life & death and we muslims believe that.. If you are firm in your belief.. Just pray to him and ask his protection ... Dont worry about the evil .. Unless ALLAH gives permission nothing on the earth will move... even the evil of ravi poojary..
TRUST ALLAH, U are on the safe hand unless ALLAH decreed on U. even if U are harmed. It is the matter is with ALLAH.
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