No Restrictions for New Year Celebration, Says Karnataka Health Minister

 Bengaluru: As on date, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Services Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said no restrictions would be imposed on holding any programmes including New Year celebrations or on movements of the people owing to Covid-19 scare in Karnataka. However, the Minister appealed to the people to wear masks in crowded places and strictly adhere to the Covid guidelines.

The Minister chaired a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee in Bengaluru city and stated that there are about 436 active cases with 400 individuals in home isolation and the meeting decided to procure 30,000 vaccines from the Centre.

Rao asked the parents to keep their children at home if a child is found to be suffering from fever or cold and stated that it is important to avoid the potential spread of the disease among children. He asked parents that children receive proper care at home.  

He said that if a person tests positive for Covid-19, it is mandatory to observe “home isolation” for a week and guidelines will be issued to grant a week leave to infected employees in both government and private sectors. However, infected persons treated at Intensive Care Units or at hospitals will receive leave until they attain complete recovery.

For those in home isolation, Rao said, medical professions will monitor and conduct home visits and primary contacts of patients may also be screened, if necessary. To ensure safety of health workers, the Minister said to prioritise safety by providing flu vaccines to them.

Cabinet sub-committee members Minister for Social Welfare Dr H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar and Minister for Medical Education Sharanprakash Patil attended the meeting.