Total Shutdown in Bhatkal from March 24 to 30

Bhatkal: Deputy Commissioner Dr. K Harish Kumar who has already imposed Section 144 in the district from Tuesday has declared a complete shutdown in the Bhatkal subdivision from 6 am of March 24 to March 30 midnight.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference held at the DC office on Monday morning, Dr. Harish Kumar said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure in the backdrop of COVID-19 cases being found in the neighboring districts.
The Deputy Commissioner said that so far no positive cases have been detected in the Uttara Kannada district.
He said that a huge number of people have returned from abroad and are under home quarantine who are checked twice daily as a precautionary measure.
He stated that in the past one month, of the total foreign return in the district about 40 percent are from Bhatkal.
“From 24th morning to 31st Section 144 will be in place for the public to ensure social distancing. A complete shutdown would be imposed in the Bhatkal subdivision. More than 5 people cannot gather. We seek public cooperation in this,” he requested.
“People should take precautionary measures not only to protect oneself but to protect others also,” he added.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer M Roshan said the district was fully ready to treat the Covid-19 patients.
“The isolation center with 500 to 800 beds are being arranged as per the World Health Organization’s directives. Separate wards will be set up for primary and secondary treatment,” he said.
“All kinds of medical systems such as nebulization, pulse oximeter, ventilator machine, isolation intensifier are made in the district and there is no need to fear anything,” he added.
Superintendent of Police Shiva Prakash Devaraju warned to take strict action if people were seen assembling unnecessarily.
He also asked the rumor mongers not to spread any rumors related to COVID-19.