The Karnataka government on Monday decided to make wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing compulsory in the state amid fresh Covid-19 concerns in several parts of the country.
“Masks should be worn compulsorily, especially at places where there is a crowd and in indoor places, social distancing has to be maintained," said state health minister K Sudhakar
Although no decision on imposing a penalty for not wearing masks has been taken, those found spitting in public will be fined.
Sudhakar said passengers travelling directly from South Korea, Thailand and Japan – where a spike in cases has been reported – will be specially monitored at the airports and their details and contact numbers will be collected
The minister informed that the number of Covid cases has slightly increased in Bengaluru, where the positivity rate rests at 1.9%, and the situation will be monitored in the district.
On 27 April, the prime minister will be holding a video conference with chief ministers and health ministers of all states, where more guidance and information may be shared
After that, we will hold another round of meeting here and further measures, if required, will be taken," said Sudhakar.
"People above 60 years are being given the preventive or third dose for free. Don't wait for the next wave, take the preventive dose and protect yourselves," he advised.
Karnataka recorded 60 fresh Covid-19 cases and zero fatalities on Sunday, taking the total infections in the state to 39,46,934, and death toll to 40,057.
Sixty-three people were discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 39,05,159 to date.