Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Aug 11: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dr K V Rajendra said, “Public gathering and processions are completely restricted during the upcoming festival season.
Speaking here at the press club at ‘Meet the Press’ event on Wednesday August 11, the DC said, “Dakshina Kannada is known for its religious places. Several festivals are lined up in the next one month such as Nagara Panchami, Ganesh Chaturthi and many more. These festivals need to be conducted avoiding public gathering and in simple manner. Processions and installation of idols in public places during Ganesh Chaturthi is restricted and celebrations are restricted to a day. The guidelines will probably be applicable till Dasara. The situation will be analysed and depending upon the situation, the guidelines may be made stricter or relaxed.
“We have urged the government to provide up to 1 lac vaccines to cover the vulnerable groups, clear the backlogs and second dose beneficiaries. We aim to cover more people in the border areas.
“There might be delay in reopening of school and colleges in the district due to the present situation. We will conduct a meeting with the disaster management authority to take a decision.
“Many question about the use of weekend lockdown. People fail to understand why a weekend lockdown is implemented. To avoid unnecessary movement to malls and tourist weekend lockdowns are important. As the festival season is coming up, people from Kerala come in large numbers for shopping. So we need to take measures at the borders as well.
‘Public cooperation is very important. People’s social responsibility plays a very important role in tackling the pandemic. People should wear mask, sanitize, avoid attending functions, and get themselves tested on seeing any symptoms. Some avoid getting tested as they do not want to shift to Covid care centres. Many prefer to be in home isolation but they should follow it strictly. When an infected person is in isolation, the other members living in the house should strictly stay indoors.
“In the last 45 days, we have increased the testing rate. Meanwhile, fatality audit has been done and directions have been issued over not to hide any deaths in the district,” he said.
District Working Journalist union president Srinivas Nayak Indaje welcomed the gathering, General secretary Ibrahim Adkastala rendered the vote of thanks and journalist Vijay Kotian compered the programme.