Karnataka Rules Out Lockdown, Maharashtra Looking At Tighter Restrictions As COVID-19 Cases Rise

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on March 29 ruled out lockdown in the state after holding a meeting with health officials to review the Covid-19 situation. CM Yediyurappa said no rallies & protests will be allowed in the state for the next 15 days amid surge in coronavirus cases. CM Yediyurappa appealed to the public to observe proper Covid-19 restrictions and avoid crowding. CM Yediyurappa also appointed eight IAS officers as nodal officers to keep a check on the Covid-19 situation & control the spread of the disease in the eight zones of BBMP in Bengaluru. Karnataka reported 2,792 fresh cases and 16 fatalities due to the infection on March 29. Positivity rate for the day was at a high of 3.20 per cent, the health department said. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Urban reported 1,742 cases while Bidar district registered 247 cases. There are a total of 23,849 active cases in Karnataka. Meanwhile, amid rising cases in Maharashtra, the state government is likely to release a standard operating procedure (SOP) by April 1 specifying more curbs on public movement, without implementing a full lockdown yet. The state has recorded close to six lakh cases this month and registered over 2,100 deaths.  Over the last two weeks, Maharashtra has recorded a 32.21 per cent rise in Covid-19 cases. Watch the video to know more.