Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, May 3: With the liquor stores allowed to remain open for a specified time across Karnataka from May 4, Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat has announced the timings for the same in the district, "If the grocery stores in Udupi are allowed to remain open till 1 pm, then the liquor shops will also operate till 1 pm."
Addressing the media MLA Bhat on Sunday May 3 said, "For us, the liquor shops are not important, but the health of the people of Udupi is. When we have never allowed the grocery stores to function the entire day during this lockdown, how can we permit the wine shops to remain open for longer hours?"
"Barber shop and beauty parlours are also closed. Dental clinics will also be non-operational until the lockdown is lifted. Even if the state government has given orders we will allow the wine shops to remain open only till 1 pm," he added.
"As per the government's order, free of cost transportation has been arranged for several migrant labourers to return home with the help of 50 buses. They do not have jobs even in their native. Udupi is under the green zone, food and other necessary items are being provided to them here, which is why I request them to stay back in Udupi. If they go back to their village, they will be placed under quarantine. Meanwhile, construction work and other activities have resumed in Udupi. This could present employment opportunities for the workers," Bhat asserted.
"Wine shops will be allowed to function only till 1 pm due to certain reasons. Based on specific studies, we have observed that the virus cannot sustain for more than 18 hours, due to which we are allowing the shops to function till 1 pm. Lockdown has not been lifted in Udupi. But, provisions are made for the labourers to return home between 5 pm and 7 pm," said Raghupathi Bhat.
Mechanized fishing permitted from May 4 subject to conditions
Mechanized fishing, which had come to a grinding halt with the announcement of lockdown, will be allowed to resume operations from Monday May 4 onward. However, this permission has been given subject to certain conditions.
It has been prescribed that per day, only 30 boats can leave the shore. The fish catches cannot be auctioned at the fishing port. The catches should be sold directly in the market.
The deputy commissioner stated that there is a proposal to allow movement of KSRTC buses in routes whee the need is felt. Towards this end, officials will begins route survey from Tuesday onward.
He thanked everyone who worked hard to see that the district is grouped under green zone. He asked factories to use their own buses to transport employees. "Salons and beauty parlours would be allowed to open after a gap of one week. There is provision to come in from other states. The concerned have to apply online. Their health will be checked at common centres. People coming from red zone states have to undergo government quarantine For intra-district travel, deputy commissioner will issue passes only for compelling reasons. For district travel, applications can be made in the office of the tahsildar.
"For quarantine, hostels and hotels are being booked. Even though the district is in green zone, we cannot be lax. People having coronavirus symptoms should not enter the district. People from other state will have to undergo mandatory quarantine," explained deputy commissioner of the district, G Jagadeesh.