Mangaluru: The complete lockdown in the Dakshina Kannada district will be extended for another day, informed district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Addressing the media on Saturday, March 28, at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the Minister said, “The lockdown is being extended to Sunday, March 29, because social distancing is of utmost importance.”
Speaking about the exemptions to the curfew, Poojary said, “Milk and domestic gas will be available. Petrol bunks will remain open and vehicles transporting essential commodities will be allowed to ply as usual.”
Elaborating on the provisions made for the poor and the homeless, the Minister said, “The labour department will look after the homeless and the poor. They will be given shelter in schools and hospitals. Lunch will be made available for daily wagers and the homeless at all ‘Grade A’ temples under the Muzrai department. “
He added that those who require urgent help can call the toll-free helpline number 1077.
Minister Poojary also informed that the district administration called for a meeting of the district merchants’ association to discuss the delivery of essential items and groceries to the people through an app.
Addressing the issues of the Yakshagana artistes, he said that the government is planning to assist the 2500 folk artistes from the undivided DK district, who have been rendered unemployed in the fallout of the coronavirus.
Nodal officer of the DK district for coronavirus cases, V Ponnuraj, who was also present at the press briefing, rubbished rumours that a road connecting the DK district and Kerala was opened through the intervention of Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
“There are 21 entry points from Kerala to the DK district. All of these have been blocked. There is no entry even for ambulances. This is being done so that the situation doesn’t deteriorate.”
Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath was also present.
