With five new Coronavirus or Covid-9 cases reported, the total tally touching 38 in Karnataka on Tuesday, looking at the alarming rise government has imposed state-wide lock-down and the police have begun to apprehend hand-stamped home quarantine violators.

As per the state government’s update out of 38 cases detected and confirmed in Karnataka so far three cases are transit passengers of Kerala who have landed in airports in Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, making a statement on the floor of Assembly, said “The government had announced a lockdown till March 31 in the entire state to control the spread of virus. To take care of the people coming under APL and BPL categories social security pension of two months would be released in advance. Also, 21 lakh construction workers will be paid Rs 1,000 per person, he said, adding that the government under Badavara Bandhu (interest-free loan to roadside vendors) scheme, has decided to waive Rs 13.20 crore loans. This include Rs 9.10 crore in 2018-19 benefiting 15,120 people, and Rs 5.16 crore in 2019-20, benefiting 6,500 people, chief minister said.

The state is bracing for the possibility of large-scale outbreak said Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwathnarayan on the floor of Legislative Council, “The state is readying 20,000 beds and 2,000 ventilators to tackle the eventuality and government has ordered 10 lakh personal protection kits, 15 lakh three-layer masks and 5 lakh N-95 masks in an effort to stem the spread of the disease,” he added

Karnataka Police have so far apprehended three persons for violating the home quarantine advise and have been isolated. The police said, one home quarantined lady roaming around in Lakshmidevamma Block in Bengaluru and two Australia returned persons from Ulsoor area in Bengaluru. They were escorted to the designated home quarantine facility.

Drone spraying

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sprung into action by initating spraying of disinfectants using drones to sanitize public spaces. Mechanical sweepers have been deployed and water jetting machines from BWSSB are employed for intensive cleaning.

BBMP commissioner B H Anil Kumar tweeted “BBMP & @BlrCityPolice completed stamping of 10,000 passengers on Home Quarantine by deploying 600 teams in the last 2 days. Tomorrow, 500 teams under Dr Ravi Kumar Surpur, Spl Commissioner, Projects & Health & DCP @isha_pant will stamp 10,000 persons. Tks to CPBlr.”

Bengaluru Airport

BIAL has taken every preventive measure to contain the spread of virus, including regular screening of all the staff - both before and after shifts, the provision of safety equipment like facemasks, gloves and access to hand sanitiser.

“In support of the Government's decision to bring the situation under control, BLR Airport will remain closed to passengers from March 24 to 31. However, as per government order, the Airport will continue to facilitate the transport of essential commodities through our Cargo operations. The Airport comes under the Essential Services Maintenance Act, and we, therefore, request you to allow us to function smoothly and serve the nation and the world during this hour of crisis,” said Hari Marar, MD&CEO, BIAL.

State-level Lock-down

As per the state government’s mid-day update, till March 23 only nine districts of the state – Belgagavi, Kalaburgi, Dharwad, Chikballapura, Bengaluru Urban, Bengalore Rural, Mysuru, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada were notified to close all the business and production establishment except the listed ends essential services.

Now in view of the increasing trend of corona virus cases the state government by its order dated March 23 has issued notification closing down all the business and commercial establishments in the entire state of Karnataka which includes 30 districts and BBMP area except the exhaustively listed essential services which will continue to function. The order of shutdown will be enforce from mid-night March 23 to April 1.

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