State government to decide on full lockdown and free vaccination

The state cabinet, on Monday, is likely to take a decision on imposing lockdown on all days of the week in Karnataka as the state is facing a huge surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. The state recorded 34,804 new cases on April 25, out of which 20,733 are from Bengaluru alone.

On Sunday, the ministers said that a decision on full lockdown is likely to be taken, whereas some sources said that the matter of free vaccination will also be taken into consideration.

Jagadish Shettar, Industries Minister, said, “Weekend curfew restrictions are in place till May 4 and as per the guidelines, it will be there next Saturday, Sunday also. Discussions are on whether to enforce a curfew on weekdays, whether to go for complete lockdown or not”.

He said that it would be discussed in the cabinet meeting tomorrow after which chief minister, BS Yediyurappa will announce the decision.

He added, “We are not in favour of lockdown, but the situation is such that we have to impose restrictions to bring things under control…we have to break the chain, it is a matter of 10-12 days, let’s see… once the numbers (cases) come down, restrictions will also reduce.”

As per the Covid-19 guidelines which came into effect from April 21 to May 4, a night curfew has been imposed in the entire state from 9 pm to 6 am every day and a weekend curfew from Friday 9 pm to Monday 6 am.

The weekend curfew saw Bengaluru and most other places deserted as businesses and restaurants were shut and there were no vehicles on the road.

People stayed indoors and followed the restrictions except for the time between 6 am to 10 am when the public was permitted to our have essential items like milk, groceries and vegetables.

Till now, no decision has been made regarding full lockdown in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said that it would take a decision on this matter in the cabinet meeting. He informed that suggestions have been put forward for a ‘Janata Curfew’, wherein people voluntarily decide not to come out unnecessarily.

“Such proposals (lockdown) did not come during yesterday’s meeting. So I don’t want to comment on speculations. For now, things will continue as it is”, said Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

The night curfew which the state government had imposed last week went into speculations that it may go for lockdown-like restrictions.

DK Shivakumar, State Congress President said that it seemed that the government had earlier planned to impose full lockdown but then it was changed when PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation in which he urged the states to use it as a last resort.