COVID-19: Karnataka govt extends lockdown in the state till March 31

Karnataka stands fourth in the country with 14 positive cases and one death

karnataka-assembly-covid Assembly hall in Vidhana Soudha being sterilised as a precautionary measure in Bengaluru

Karnataka government has extended the existing lockdown in the state to contain spread of COVID-19 till March 31.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who had convened an emergency cabinet meeting, informed the state assembly during the ongoing legislature session that a state-level task force, headed by Health Minister B. Sriramulu and comprising of Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and the chief secretary, has been constituted to review the situation daily.

On March 13, the state government had directed schools, colleges, universities, malls, multiplexes and pubs to shutdown for a week. It had also urged IT companies to adopt 'work from home', while cautioning against hosting public events and ceremonies that draw huge crowds.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike directed the resident welfare associations in apartment complexes to shutdown common facilities like clubhouse and swimming pool, stressing on the need for social distancing.

"We have so far screened 1,17,306 international passengers and will continue to screen people who enter the state. They will be stamped on their right hand and also be subjected to mandatory isolation for 14 days. Karnataka stands fourth in the country with 14 positive cases and one death. So, the government has set aside Rs 200 crore to tackle COVID-19. There are five labs for COVID-19 testing in the state," informed Sudhakar.

While the ongoing legislature session will not be affected by the government directive, the entry of people into the secretariat building has been prohibited.

📣 The Week is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TheWeekmagazine) and stay updated with the latest headlines