Karnataka lockdown Extension: what health minister K. Sudhakar said

Bengaluru: With still a week to go to end the lockdown in Karnataka, Health and Family Welfare Minister K. Sudhakar on Monday said a decision on extending it beyond June 7 will be taken on a scientific basis as it is aimed at saving peoples’ lives from the pandemic.

Highlighting the criticality of technical and medical aspects behind such decisions, he said the state’s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has prepared a report, making suggestions to the government on future measures including extending the lockdown. The state is currently under lockdown till May June 7.

K Sudhakar said lockdown or unlock is linked to the medical aspect and its consequences on human life during the pandemic has to be understood and decisions have to be made carefully. “…I’m of the opinion, talking about the future of lockdown without understanding it technically or not considering experts opinion is irrelevant…this decision has to be taken on a scientific basis, as it is to save lives. If we are not cautious, we have seen what may happen,” he added.

According to reports, TAC has recommended to the government to extend the lockdown at least for one more week. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday had said that the government will decide on the future of the lockdown, just ahead of the current one coming to an end, based on the situation and expert opinion.

The Karnataka government had initially announced 14 days “close down” from April 27, but subsequently imposed a complete lockdown from May 10 to May 24, as the COVID cases continued to spike. Citing lockdown yielding results and experts’ advice, it was further extended till June 7.