No lockdown will be imposed in Karnataka, stringent measures will continue to be implemented

Bengaluru: on Wednesday, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa said that no lockdown will be imposed in the state. However, stringent measures will be implemented to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

“Barring lockdown, all other measures will be taken. Already we have imposed a night curfew in some cities. If required we will extend it to some other districts as well”, he said.

He said that he would consult the opposition party leaders about the next step and take their suggestions into consideration.

He also said that there will be no lockdown on weekends.

The chief minister has organised a meeting with the opposition leaders on April 18, a day after the bypolls to Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency and Maski and Basavakalyan assembly segments.

In the meantime, the opposition party is also of the view that lockdown is not a solution to the rising cases as it would only make lives difficult.

Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, “Lockdown is not a solution… First, it has to be identified his this disease spreads and accordingly, treatment should be provided. The government relaxed the norms when the number of coronavirus cases dropped, due to which they have gone up now.”

He criticised the state government for minimising the tests when cases decreased, allowing everyone to come in without checking them and allowing people to gather at public places.

The Leader of Opposition in the assembly told that if the government is willing to impose a lockdown then they will have to deposit Rs 10,000 into the accounts of people belonging to economically weaker sections.

JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy stated that the government should focus more on essential drugs such as Remdesivir and beds in hospitals as there are chances that cases are likely to shoot up to 20,000 a day.