A five-member expert panel constituted by the Karnataka government has recommended extension of the lockdown period in COVID-19 hotspots in the state till May 31. The panel also advised continued closure of schools and colleges till May 31 and to encourage online classes.
The committee, headed by Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder-Chairman of Narayana Health and comprising Dr C.N. Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Dr C. Nagaraja, Director , Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, Dr V. Ravi, Head of the Department of Neurovirology, NIMHANS and epidemiologist Dr Sudarshan, has prepared the lockdown exit strategy, and made recommendations for the next 15 days.
The health experts have advised the government to tread with caution, stating the next six months would be crucial.
The panel submitted the report to Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday after carefully examining the possibility of relaxing the lockdown in a phased manner.
While the ongoing 21-day national lockdown ends on April 14, the experts have recommended extension of restrictions in the COVID-19 hotspots and districts that have reported positive cases.
The IT-BT companies and government departments providing essential services and factories should function with only 50 per cent of their workforce at any given time. The shops without air conditioning can remain opened as long as social distancing norms are strictly implemented.
The metro trains and air-conditioned bus services should be halted till April 30. Odd-even rule for private vehicles should be implemented and unnecessary movement of people should be curbed.
The experts are of the opinion that opening of interstate rail and flight services is not advisable at present. The interstate borders should be opened only for the movement of essential commodities.
The testing and quarantine will pick up pace post April 12, when the state ramps up rapid testing. The private hospitals should adopt tele-consultations for non-COVID cases.
The chief minister informed that he would review the panel's recommendations along with the guidelines to be issued by the Centre before taking a call on the lockdown exit plan.
