Karnataka bans parties, rallies for 15 days as Covid-19 cases surge

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa reiterated that his government would not impose a lockdown

The state government on Monday imposed a ban on holding parties at apartment complexes and decided against allowing any protest or strike for a period of 15 days to halt the Covid-19 surge that has gathered pace in the state.

But there will be no lockdown or night curfew in any part of Karnataka.

The government also ruled out promoting kids up to class 9 without exams, saying there was “no such proposal before it”.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced the decisions after meeting his Cabinet colleagues and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) experts, even as he quashed demands on bringing in more stringent restrictions.

Also read: Test only symptomatic people, BBMP commissioner tells staff

Yediyurappa acknowledged that while the test positivity rate of Bengaluru Urban had climbed from 0.94% in February to 1.94% in March, it was better to elicit the cooperation of people to contain the spread than introducing restrictions.

But the Chief Minister warned that people found violating Covid-19 protocols from now on would be punished severely.

Bypoll restrictions

Announcing a ban on strikes, protests as well as parties in apartments, the Chief Minister said: “Even public gathering during bypolls will also be regulated”.

Also read: Now, a Covid cluster at Indiranagar pub

The government, he said, would review the situation every three days. “Minister and zonal officers’ meetings will be held,” a source said.

Earlier on Monday, the government reinstated several IAS officers to Special Officer positions to oversee eight zones in Bengaluru limits.

While the government voted against dramatically increasing bed numbers in the state, sources said that a gradual scale-up will begin.

“The bedding numbers will slowly be increased. The government’s next priority is to fill up beds in all medical colleges, after which it will seek to secure 10% of beds in private hospitals,” a source present during the meeting told DH.

Yet another source present during the discussion said that Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar reportedly asked the Chief Minister to institute a series of measures, including implementing some of the recommendations made by the TAC.

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH

Yediyurappa cautioned the public that from Tuesday crackdown will begin on those violating Covid rules.

“All people have to wear the mask and anybody violating the rule will be dealt seriously. Those who are caught not wearing masks will be penalised heavily from today,” Yediyurappa said.

He also clarified that no restrictive measures will be taken as far as cinema halls are concerned.

Sources said that Dr Sudhakar’s calls for restrictive measures were out-voted by other government officials, including Revenue Minister R Ashoka who blamed the surge on “parties being held at apartment complexes.”

Wedding halls found flouting social distancing rules will be closed for six months, Ashoka said.

Exams to go on

Putting an end to confusion over shutting schools and colleges and promoting kids without examinations, Yediyurappa on Monday said “there is no such proposal before the government”.

“The examinations will be held as per the schedule,” he said.

The chief minister added that the examinations for up to grade 9 will be completed in the next 15 days and there was no question of closing down schools and colleges.

“Instead, institutions have been asked to follow the safety measures strictly while conducting offline classes and examinations,” he said.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Sunday spoke about promoting all students up to grade 9, which created confusion among parents, students and school managements.