All efforts would be made to control the spread of coronavirus in the city and there will be no fresh lockdown, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said, asserting that improving economic situation of the state is also equally important.
"There is no question of imposing lockdown for any reason. In some areas (with high case load) we have already implemented lockdown, other than those places there is no question of it being implemented in other places," Yediyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru.
Amidst the rising number of #COVID19 cases in #Bengaluru, #Karnataka CM @BSYBJP reiterates that there is no question of another #Lockdown in the state, as some areas have already been sealed. The CM has called for a meet today with cabinet ministers & MLAs from other parties pic.twitter.com/v00HP267aP
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) June 26, 2020
Though the state capital was considered a model for the entire country in COVID management and has seen a spike in cases during the last few days, the pandemic can be controlled if everyone cooperated, he said.
His remarks come a day after Revenue Minister R Ashoka said Bengaluru is still 'safe' compared to the COVID-19 situation in other cities and states, and had ruled out a fresh lockdown for now, putting to rest speculations that it was planning such a move in view of spike in cases.
As of Thursday evening, a total of 1,791 COVID-19 cases, including 78 deaths and 505 discharges, had been reported in the capital city Bengaluru, while the state's tally stood at 10,560 compared to just 3,408 cases as on June 1.
The state capital has the highest number of cases among the districts.
Improving the economic situation of the state was also equally important, the Cheif Minister said, ahead of his meeting with Ministers, MLAs and MPs of all parties from Bengaluru to discuss measures to control COVID-19. "I will discuss with all MLAs including those from opposition and Ministers from Bengaluru and come to some decision. With their cooperation we will make all honest efforts to control the pandemic in Bengaluru," he added.
Earlier, there had been intense speculation after some ministers said the government may have to consider re-imposing the lockdown, which was eased in phases from the middle of May, in view of the continuing spike in new cases in the past several days.
Bengaluru was a "model" to the entire country in COVID management, but in recent days cases have increased, Yediyurappa said, adding to control it cooperation from everyone was necessary.
"I have confidence that if everyone (MLAs) pays special attention in their respective assembly constituency, COVID can be controlled," he said.
Meanwhile, official sources said the Chief Minister has given Revenue Minister Ashoka the charge of overseeing the COVID management in the city. So far, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar has been in charge of COVID in Bengaluru.