Bengaluru, Apr 11 () Karnataka Chief Minister B SYediyurappa who attended video conference with Prime MinisterNarendra Modi about COVID-19 situation and lockdown to controlit, on Saturday said the discussion was regarding "vitalstrategies" and "actions" to be implemented in the state.
He assured that the government was doing everything totackle the pandemic and requested people to stay at home toget rid of the coronavirus outbreak at the earliest.
"My cabinet and I attended the video conference about#covid19 with PM @Narendramodi today. We discussed vitalstrategies and actions to implement around the state. We aredoing and will do everything in our control to tackle thispandemic," Yediyurappa tweeted.
"I humbly request you to do your part and #StayAtHomeso we can get out of this at the earliest. #Covid_19india," hesaid in another tweet.
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Health MinisterSriramulu, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar, Primary andSecondary Education Minister Suresh Kumar, along with topofficials of the state government were part of the videoconference that Modi had with all state chief ministers todiscuss the situation arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic andto take their feedback on whether the 21-day shutdown shouldbe extended.
During the video conferencing, several Chief Ministersare said to have suggested for extension of the nationallockdown by at least a fortnight after April 14.
The video conference, which began at 11 am, cameamidst indications that the Central government may extend thenationwide lockdown with some possible relaxations.
Yediyurappa on Thursday had said all his cabinetcolleagues were of the unanimous opinion to extend thelockdown for about fifteen days after April 14, and a finaldecision in this regard will be taken after consulting thePrime Minister on Saturday.
A committee of health experts tasked with devising anexit strategy for coronavirus lockdown in Karnataka onWednesday had recommended for its continuation in "hotspots"along with some relaxations.
In its recommendations submitted to Yediyurappa, ithas said schools and colleges should remain shut till May 31and advocated restrictions on public transport to continue forsome more time even while suggesting odd-even formula forprivate vehicles.
While non-air conditioned shops can be allowed tofunction and IT/BT companies, government offices providingessential services and factories can operate with 50 per centstaff, the committee has said.
The recommendations were for a period of next 15 daysfrom April 14 after the current national lockdown.
The committee comprising among others Narayana Healthfounder-chairman Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Jayadeva Institute ofCardiovascular Sciences director Dr C N Manjunath was set upfor devising the exit strategy for the lockdown. KSU SS