Karnataka ministers favour continuation of lockdown, Yediyurappa seeks consultation with PM

Bengaluru: A number of ministers at Karnataka’s Cabinet meeting on Thursday favoured continuation of the lockdown in the state until the end of April but chief minister BS Yediyurappa postponed a decision on the matter.
“There is a consensus among my Cabinet colleagues that we must continue with the lockdown in order to effectively combat the spread of covid-19. But I told them we will take a decision after consulting the prime minister,” Yediyurappa told media persons after the meeting.

“The PM will assess the situation based on inputs from others states as well, and take a call. We will go by his views,” he said.

At the Cabinet meeting, the chief minister sought views from individual ministers on continuing with the lockdown. Most of them came up with their own suggestions but argued in favour of gradual withdrawal, according to people privy to the information.

A panel of experts headed by Narayana Health founder Dr Devi Shetty has suggested that the ongoing lockdown be continued in districts identified as Covid-19 hotspots, including Bengaluru. IT companies, manufacturing companies and government offices providing essential services should be allowed to function with 50% staff, according to its report.

One person died and 16 fresh coronavirus infected cases were reported in Karnataka on Thursday, taking the death toll in the state to six and the total number of positive cases to 197. The deceased is an 80-year-old woman from Gadag.