K'taka govt to decide on easing COVID curbs after consulting experts

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Saturday said it will take a call on further relaxing the COVID-19 related restrictions after consulting the experts soon, in view of a substantial drop in cases in the state.

”There will be a meeting with the experts on COVID-19 either tomorrow or the day after. If the norms have to be changed in the coming days, we will do it after seeking the opinion of experts,” Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters.

He said there will be a comprehensive discussion on a range of issues from reopening of schools for all the classes to reopening all commercial establishments and movement of people in the border states.

After obtaining everyone’s approval, an appropriate decision will be taken, Bommai said.

Underlining that COVID-19 cases have come down in the state and the infection rate is below one percent, Bommai pointed out that the experts have cautioned against letting the guard down even if the cases have been reduced.

According to the health department, the positivity rate on Friday was 0.5 percent. To a query on the misuse of labour cards, Bommai said the Centre has created a portal called E-Shrama. It has been created so that the real beneficiaries avail the benefit.

However, if there are such instances, then we will get the matter investigated and punish the guilty, he added.