BENGALURU: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday claimed the 21-day countrywide lockdown imposed by the Centre has so far been “only 75 % successful” in Karnataka, despite the government’s best efforts to ensure people conform to rules. Alluding to the steady rise in Covid-19 cases, he suggested the government may extend the lockdown beyond April 14.
“It’s unfortunate that the lockdown is still not 100% in Karnataka,” Yediurappa said in an interview to a private news channel. “About 25% of people are still found roaming streets and defying lockdown guidelines even after repeated requests and warnings to stay indoors.”
He said people should not be under impression that the lockdown will be lifted completely after April 14 in the state, especially if people fail to comply with curfew norms.
“Dr Devi Shetty and many experts have indicated that the pandemic could continue till April-end or mid-May. We will assess the situation after April 14 and take a call. We might relax norms in districts which are not affected. It’s all in the hands of people now,” Yediyurappa said.
He went on to say, “People should understand these restrictions are for their own good and they should obey norms to keep themselves and their families in good health. Police have seized 10,000 vehicles across the state, which is perhaps the highest in the country, to instill fear among people but people are undeterred.”
In the same breath, the CM said the number of positive patients in Karnataka increased mainly because of the Tablighi Jamaat meet and the Nanjangud pharmaceutical company cluster case. “Their negligence has proved costly. But for them, positive cases in the state would have been below 70.”
He also dismissed reports of a rift between health minister B Sriramulu and medical education minister K Sudhakar, while admitting he is unhappy with some of his cabinet colleagues, who are doing very little in this time of crisis.
“It’s unfortunate that the lockdown is still not 100% in Karnataka,” Yediurappa said in an interview to a private news channel. “About 25% of people are still found roaming streets and defying lockdown guidelines even after repeated requests and warnings to stay indoors.”
He said people should not be under impression that the lockdown will be lifted completely after April 14 in the state, especially if people fail to comply with curfew norms.
“Dr Devi Shetty and many experts have indicated that the pandemic could continue till April-end or mid-May. We will assess the situation after April 14 and take a call. We might relax norms in districts which are not affected. It’s all in the hands of people now,” Yediyurappa said.
He went on to say, “People should understand these restrictions are for their own good and they should obey norms to keep themselves and their families in good health. Police have seized 10,000 vehicles across the state, which is perhaps the highest in the country, to instill fear among people but people are undeterred.”
In the same breath, the CM said the number of positive patients in Karnataka increased mainly because of the Tablighi Jamaat meet and the Nanjangud pharmaceutical company cluster case. “Their negligence has proved costly. But for them, positive cases in the state would have been below 70.”
He also dismissed reports of a rift between health minister B Sriramulu and medical education minister K Sudhakar, while admitting he is unhappy with some of his cabinet colleagues, who are doing very little in this time of crisis.
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