Amid rising coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMp) Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad has said that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa would have to impose a lockdown in Bengaluru if people fail to exercise caution. Prasad made the statement during a meeting which was attended by civic body’s doctors, officials, Joint Commissioners and Special Commissioners.
Amid rising coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMp) Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad has said that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa would have to impose a lockdown in Bengaluru if people fail to exercise caution. Prasad made the statement during a meeting which was attended by civic body’s doctors, officials, Joint Commissioners and Special Commissioners.
1. What BBMP Commissioner said?
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“We need to strictly enforce social distancing norms as well as compulsory wearing of masks. We can not ignore these two basic requirements to keep this virus at bay. Even the slightest laxity in implementing these norms could push them to the brink of lockdown in Bengaluru at least,” news agency IANS quoted the official as saying.
2. Prasad on situation in Maharashtra, Kerala
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Prasad also highlighted the fact that neighbouring states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases. “Already, Maharashtra is mulling a second round of lockdown in select cities. Andhra Pradesh has re-enforced lockdown in Amaravati… we should not reach such a stage. We, therefore, need to pull ourselves up to meet this new challenge,” he said.
3. Karnataka Health Minister on lockdown
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Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar, however, noted that the state government is not mulling over the idea of re-enforcing the lockdown in any part of Karnataka. Talking to reporters, Sudhakar said that coronavirus cases are under control in Karnataka and unlike Kerala or Maharashtra, the situation does not demand lockdown in the state. “Be it partial or complete lockdown, there is no such intention, nor are there any proposals lying before the state government,” he added.
4. Situation in Maharashtra
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It is to be noted that MNaharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday that he was closely monitoring the situation and the next eight days will decide whether there will be a lockdown in the state or not.
5. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on lockdown
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In a video address, CM Thackeray said, "Do you want lockdown? The next eight days will decide. Maharashtra has reported around 7,000 COVID cases today. If the COVID-19 situation deteriorates, then we have to impose lockdown. Those who want a lockdown can roam around without mask while those who do not want it must wear a mask and follow all the rules."With reference to the state government`s campaign against COVID-19 "my family, my responsibility."
CM Uddhav Thackeray also announced that all the political, religious and social gatherings will be banned in the state from February 22 in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases. "The pandemic is raising its head in the state, but whether it is another wave or not, it will be known in eight to fifteen days," he noted.
