Unlocking process to balance livelihood and safety in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Thursday that the state government is planning to unlock the state in a balanced way to be prepared for a possible third wave.

Sudhakar said, “The process of a graded unlock and preparations for future Covid requirements should go together. While considering partial relaxation for trade and service sectors, we are also focusing on preventive measures and preparation to combat an anticipated surge in cases.”

Sudhakar will hold a meeting with the Covid-19 technical advisory committee (TAC) on Friday to discuss the recommendations to ease curbs and medical preparedness to handle the new surge in cases.

The minister informed that the government is planning to permit restaurants, hotels, malls and none essential shops to operate with limited occupancy and time restrictions. He said, “Even public transport could operate in a limited manner. The detailed notification regarding the next phase of unlock will be released in a day or two.”

The TAC has directed the government to observe the trajectory of cases since the unlock 1.0 which came into effect on June 14. Before deciding on unlocking on other sectors, the government wants to study the level of infection and behaviour of the virus due to the return of the migrant workers and also in areas where crowds gather.

A third was is expected in October-November, however, the experts have warned that it can also come as early as in August. Dr Sudhakar said that work on improving the medical infrastructure is already in progress as part of the third wave preparations.

Deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan had already conducted a meeting on Wednesday to know about preparations in Bengaluru which is a Covid hotspot.

He said, “We plan to set up 100-bed secondary hospitals in each assembly constituency and a tertiary hospital in every four constituencies, besides upgrading infrastructure in all primary health centres. Considering the urgency, we have fixed a tough self-imposed deadline of 15 days.” The plan includes retention of existing Covid hospitals, notwithstanding low occupancy at present, and roping in corporate entities to set up new hospitals.

On Saturday, 100-bed-state-of-art hospitals which are sponsored by Boeing India and Selco Foundation, in Yelahanka is to be inaugurated.

BBMP chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta said, “Extensive vaccination coverage is another aspect of preparedness. Our aim is to ensure 50% of adults get at least one dose by next month.”