On Saturday, the Karnataka government issued fresh guidelines of a lockdown in the wake of an increasing number of coronavirus cases in the state. On Saturday, the state reported 919 cases and the city of Bengaluru reported 596 cases, both of which is the highest daily increase.
The daily curfew which earlier was imposed from Night 9 to Morning 5 is has been changed to Night 8 to Morning 5. This would apply every day in the state. Further, the BS Yediyurappa government also announced a complete lockdown on every Sunday starting from the 5th of July. Except for essential activities, other activities will be suspended on Sunday. This would continue every week until further orders are issued by the government.
In a relief to government employees, the government said that all of its offices would function only 5 days a week starting from July 10th. From that day, the government offices will be closed during the weekends. The decision came after the Chief Minister held a meeting with the officials on Saturday to discuss the situation in the state.
Bengaluru Gets Ready
In the city of Bengaluru, to avoid crowds at vegetable markets, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has been directed to create smaller wholesale vegetable markets in the city. It was also decided in the meeting that the Bengaluru Urban District Commissioner would scout more places in the city where the last rites of the dead patients can be carried out. The Chief Minister also advised forming a team that would look after the last rites of the patients.
The Chief Ministers ordered the officials to immediately increase the number of ambulances to carry COVID-19 patients in the city. He also asked them to have separate ambulances to carry the dead mortals. In order to have a smooth pathway, he suggested the officials to use the police wireless control room to identify the location of ambulances and ensuring its movement.
In the meeting, it was also decided to increase the quarantine facilities and hence orders were issued to identify community halls, hostels, and other institutions to convert them into COVID care centers. There have been efforts to use railway beds for treatment as well.
Source: The News Minute
