Masks not mandatory for now, but wear them in crowded places, says CM

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who chaired a Covid-19 review meeting with several of the cabinet colleagues at his home office ‘Krishna’ on Thursday, said wearing of masks will not be made compulsory as of now as the situation does not warrant it. He, however, stressed that those aged above 60 and those visiting crowded places should wear masks for their own safety.

The CM said there is no cause for anxiety regarding the JN.1 subvariant, but called upon people to exercise caution. “There is no need to panic, but we all need to take precautions”, he said. There will be no curbs for Christmas or New Year, but people should wear masks in crowded places, he noted.

Addressing media persons, he said strict instructions have been given to officials not to bungle like during the previous Covid waves and to ensure adequate availability of oxygen, drugs and beds. “I have given instructions to ensure that there is no shortage of anything. If needed, a vaccination drive can be taken up and those who have not got the second or precautionary dose should take it”, he said.

The CM said there are 92 Covid-positive cases in the state of which 80 are in Bengaluru, five in Mysuru, three in Ballari and one each in Ramanagara and Mandya. “Of the infected, 72 patients are being treated at home while 20 are in hospital including seven in ICU. We will ramp up testing to 5,000 per day from Saturday which will include 3,500 RT-PCR and 1,500 Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)”, he said.

The CM said that so far, there have been three deaths of people who had Covid and other health issues. “The Health minister and the Medical Education minister have already held meeting with officials and experts. We will set up a cabinet subcommittee to coordinate with experts and also fix the cost of testing in private hospitals. All recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) should be implemented and testing in the border areas should be increased”, he said.

Siddaramaiah said hospitals, both government and private, have been instructed to have dedicated wards for treatment of Covid patients and ensure availability of oxygen, ventilators, beds, and drugs. “Officials have been told to make purchases if any essentials are necessary. Even vaccination doses can be purchased before the Centre distributes the vaccines”, he noted.

On some private schools mandating masks, he said it is a welcome decision. “We will take a decision after the cabinet subcommittee holds a meeting with experts. For now, the TAC has said that masks need not be mandatory. We will implement whatever suggestions the TAC gives in the coming days”, the CM said.

Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao, Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goyal, DG&IGP Alok Mohan, Principal secretary to the Health and Family Welfare Department T K Anil Kumar were among those present in the meeting.