Adieu Ramadan! Eid al-Fitr in coastal Karnataka on Sunday

Bengaluru, Apr 2: In a bid to discourage people from coming out on roads during the lockdown, Bengaluru Traffic Police have inscribed a message that reads, "If you come to road, I'll come to your home."

It was written on the road at Nagenahalli check-post. The message was written by the cops in the regional language.

Meanwhile, nine fresh cases were reported in Karnataka with the count rising to 110 in the state on Wednesday.

Out of the total cases, three persons died due to the virus while nine others have been discharged after recovery.

"COVID-19 cases climb to 110 in Karnataka, with nine fresh cases being reported between 5 pm yesterday and 2 pm today. Out of the total cases, three have died while nine others have been discharged," a bulletin issued by the state health department said.

"Out of 110 cases detected and confirmed in Karnataka so far, seven cases are transit
passengers of Kerala who have landed in our airports and being treated in
Karnataka," it added.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday said that there are 1,834 coronavirus positive cases in India, including 1,649 active cases, 144 cured/discharged/migrated people and 41 deaths.

Bengaluru, Mar 7: As a precautionary measure to control the spread of coronavirus in Karnataka, the state government has planned to suspend biometric attendance for the time-being at its offices, also in corporate and IT companies, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Saturday.

He said the government has taken all precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus in the state.

"Our Additional Chief Secretary has already spoken to IT companies yesterday on behalf of the government regarding guidelines that need to be followed, it is part of it...we will do it in the government also in the days to come," Sudhakar told reporters here.

He was responding to a question about suspending biometric attendance at offices in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Asked about suspending biometric attendanceat government offices, he said, "we have planned to do it yesterday."

Sudhakar said so far in Karnataka not even one case has been identified, to that extent we have been taking precautionary measures effectively.

He said from villages to state capital Bengaluru at all levels the health department officials have been activated as part of the precautionary measures.

Also, committees headed by Deputy Commissioners have been formed in all district, he added.

"We have given certain guidelines to people. We have also included private hospitals. We have taken all precautionary measures to stop the virus from entering the state," he added.

In response to a question regarding masks, the Minister clarified that those who have the symptoms of the disease only should use them.

He said, "N95 masks are required only for those who have tested positive, there is not even a single positive case in the state so far...surgical masks that will have three layers can be used by those who have symptoms like cough, cold, fever."

In the state as a precautionary measure 2,500 beds have been kept ready if the situation arises, despite not having a single case.

Kuwait: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sections of the community in Kuwait, hundreds of NRIs are stranded due to unavailability of flights to fly back home. Leaders of associations belonging to Karnataka state in Kuwait and other part of Gulf countries have initiated a collective effort to discuss the challenges and issues faced by Kannadigas in Gulf Countries during COVID-19 pandemic.    

Mr. Ramesh S Bhandary – President of Tulu Koota Kuwait and Mr. Rajesh Vittal KKK president along with Other Gulf Karnataka Association leaders held video conference meeting arranged by GULF NRI Forum with Hon. Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri B.S. Yediyurappa to discuss the issue of COVID19 in Kuwait.

During this video conference, association leaders briefly explained various issues, statistics of emergency cases which include pregnant women, Senior citizens, visit visa expired cases and urgent medical treatment requirement cases who wish to travel back to Karnataka.

Evacuation flights to Bengaluru and Mangalore from Kuwait and other Gulf countries, request for free airline tickets or free quarantine facility at Bengaluru and Mangaluru also requested during this video call.

Dedicated Covid - 19 Helpline number for Karanataka NRIs- Nominate One line Contact person in Karnataka to co-ordinates all Covid related issues of NRI.

Responding to leaders requests, B.S Yediyurappa promised to address GCC Kannadigas concerns during this humanitarian crisis.

On Behalf of Kannadigaru Dubai & KNRI Forum , Gulf Kannadigas & Gulf Karantaka associations leaders expressed the happiness with BS Yadiyurappa - Hon Chief Minister of Karnataka, Raghavendra Yadiyurappa - Member of Parliament - Shivamogga constituency, for hearing problems of NRI and giving assurance of immediate action plan to repatriate needy Kannadigas from Gulf region to Karnataka.

Video conference was attended by Karnataka association leaders of Gulf Countries.

Karnataka NRI  Forum Kuwait committee comprising  representatives of leading associations of Karnataka in Kuwait such as Tulu Koota Kuwait (TKK), Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), Kuwait Kannada Koota (KKK), Buntara Sangha Kuwait (BSK), Billava Sangha Kuwait (BSK), KKMA Karnataka Branch , Indian Doctors Forum and Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association Kuwait (KMWA).