No need to impose night curfew for now: Yediyurappa

Bengaluru: Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Tuesday said there was no need for imposing night curfew in the State for now, after neighbouring Maharashtra announced such a move amid growing concerns over a new coronavirus variant spreading in Britain. "This (new coronavirus variant) is something that has worried the people of the State and the country, we have come to know that a person who has arrived in Chennai has been found infected. We have to be extra cautious. Whoever comes from outside they will be checked at the airports itself before allowing them," Yediyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, all the necessary precautions have been taken and the government is watchful to control the spread of the virus in Karnataka. 

The Karnataka government on Tuesday made it clear that there was no need for imposing night curfew in the State for now as the 'situation is control and it is taking all precautionary measures' against new strain of coronavirus which is causing concern in the UK. It may be recalled that many cities in the country have announced a night curfew due to threat from the new Covid strain.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurapp said, :This (new coronavirus variant) is something that has worried the people of the State and the country, we have come to know that a person who has arrived in Chennai has been found infected. We have to be extra cautious. Whoever comes from outside they will be checked at the airports itself before being allowed into the State. All the necessary precautions have been taken and the government is watchful to control the spread of the virus in Karnataka."

The clarification from the State government came after the Maharashtra government on Monday declared a night curfew in municipal corporation areas as a precautionary step amid growing concerns over a new coronavirus variant spreading in Britain. "There is no need for it here, for now," the Chief Minister said in response to a question if Karnataka would emulate Maharashtra. He said that the restrictions already in place for New Year celebrations would be enough.

However, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said that he will discuss with the Chief Minister regarding imposing night curfew in the State and come to a decision, while ruling out the possibility of another lockdown. "Night curfew may be imposed after examining various aspects, as done in other States," he said.

"I held discussions with the Secretary, Union Health Department, who said that there was no reason to worry, but necessary precautionary measures should be taken. I will meet the Chief Minister and discuss with him the night curfew," Mr Sudhakar added.

Stating that as a precautionary measure, the state government from Monday has announced a mandated seven-day home quarantine for travellers from the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands. Those who have arrived in the state from these three countries in the last 14 days will be traced within the next 24 hours and subjected to RT-PCR test.

According to the reports from the health department, contacts and addresses of the 138 people who had come to the state from the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands without any negative reports, have been gathered Monday itself, and they will be made to undergo tests and will be monitored. Also they will have to quarantine at home and all of them will be tested later.