State government orders one-week ban on malls, theatres, pubs, colleges and public events

State government orders one-week ban on malls, theatres, pubs, colleges and public events

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, March 13, 2020: All malls, theatres, pubs and exhibitions will be shuttered for a week beginning Saturday to prevent spread of COVID-19 in Karnataka, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa ordered on Friday. This also applies to nightclubs, swimming pools, play areas, music festivals, club events, summer camps, sporting events, weddings, conferences, parties like birthdays and engagements.

 
The decision will be reviewed in a week. Karnataka Health Department cancels all Saturday offs and public holidays for its employees. All leaves applied by staff under casual leave and privilege leave has also been cancelled.

The Karnataka government has till now confirmed five other cases in the state. A Bengaluru Dell employee who returned from Austin in America via New York and Texas was the first person to be confirmed in the state. Later, his wife and 13-year-old daughter too were tested positive. Another techie who had travelled from US to Bengaluru via London, was tested positive next.

A 26-year old who had returned from Greece via Dubai to Mumbai was the fifth case. He had been to Greece on a holiday and returned to Mumbai in the first week of March. Later, he came to Bengaluru and worked for a day out of his office. The government is trying to trace all the people who came in contact with him.

Schools across the state have been already ordered to be closed, and 15 days leave will also be announced for colleges and universities. Further, all Information Technology firm employees will be advised to work from home.