Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday said those coming to the state from Chennai and Delhi will have to undergo three days of institutional quarantine followed by 11 days of home isolation.
Up till now, a seven-day institutional quarantine was prescribed for those returning from Maharashtra, while there was no mandatory institutional quarantine for asymptomatic people returning to Karnataka from other states.
Those returning from states other than Maharashtra were asked to quarantine themselves at home.
"Those coming from Maharashtra are subjected to seven days of institutional quarantine followed by seven days of home quarantine, while those coming from Chennai and Delhi will have to go for three days of institutional quarantine and eleven days of home quarantine," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the decision has been taken following the increase in the number of coronavirus cases from these states.
"It is because of returnees from other states the cases have increased, not because of the local (intra-state) movement, so we have to control people coming from outside, we have to quarantine them and have to tighten measures.
We are making honest efforts in this regard," he added.
Yediyurappa was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with top ministers and officials to discuss the surge in COVID cases in the state.
"There are no plans for any lockdown, and we will request the Prime Minister for more relaxations," the Chief Minister said in response to a question.
Out of a total of 7,000 cases in the state 4,386 are returnees from Maharashtra and their contacts are 1,340.
Those who returned from abroad comprise 216.
Returnees from other states constitute- Delhi 87, Tamil Nadu 67, Gujarat 62.
Noting that there are indications that the coronavirus infections are expected to increase in the days to come, Yediyurappa assured people that the government will take all precautionary measures required, and appealed to people to cooperate, follow social distancing, and wear masks.
He said it has been decided to observe the coming Thursday as "mask days" by organizing a walk across the state and the main event will be held at Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat.
"Strict measures will be taken against those not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing here on.
Initially, Rs 200 fine will be imposed, this will be throughout the state," he said.
Further stating that the government has made special efforts to control the spread of COVID, he said a special COVID-19 taskforce has been constituted for Bengaluru and surrounding areas, BBMP (city civic body) commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of neighboring districts have been asked to pay special attention.
As of June 14 evening, cumulatively 7,000 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 86 deaths and 3,955 discharges.
Out of 2,956 active cases in the state till last evening, 2,940 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 16 are in ICU.
Yediyurappa said the state's mortality rate is 1.2 percent while the national average is 2.8 percent.
The state's recovery rate is 56.6 percent and the national average is 51 percent, he said, adding that 93 percent of the total cases are asymptomatic while the remaining seven percent are symptomatic.
In Bengaluru, there are 697 cases and out of them, 330 are active.
The city has reported 36 deaths.
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Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
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"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
