Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SHP)

Mangaluru, Apr 2: Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner Ajithkumar Hegde in a press release issued orders on restriction of people and vehicles from the neighbouring state of Kerala on Thursday, April 2.

"Due to the proximity of Mangaluru city to Kerala and keeping in view the health and safety of the residents of this city, it has become a paramount function of the commissioner to take all the steps to keep the citizens of this city protected from its attack. Since the said virus is reported to be spreading through the movement of people and by coming in contact with people who are already afflicted by the virus it becomes necessary to restrict the movement of vehicles and people of Kerala state within the city of Mangaluru City Corporation limits," the press release said.

Mangaluru-Kasargod border (file photo)

One of the obligatory functions of the MCC is to ensure the safety of residents of the city. Therefore, under section 58(22) of the KMC Act which deals with 'prevention and checking the spread of dangerous diseases', the MCC commissioner will be required to invoke emergency powers under section 64 of the KMC Act of 1976 to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

The MCC commissioner also announced and ordered banning of vehicles carrying afflicted people, those who came in contact with COVID-19 patients or those who are suspected to be suffering from any such contagious diseases from entering Mangaluru. He further asserted that the officers from the health section strictly enforce the order.

The commissioner stated that the order has been issued after taking into consideration the report by MCC health officer. Meanwhile, an addendum order released by the Karnataka government on March 23, stated the necessity of closing borders as with the already existing shortage of health facilities, treatment of patients from other states will cause issues for the people of Karnataka.

Exercising powers under section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1898 and enabling provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the Karnataka government ordered for imposing border restrictions over movement of patients across the border for treatment or diagnosis. This addendum released also requires the different cities in Karnataka to impose territorial jurisdiction and orders issued should remain unaltered and enforced, as approved by Jawaid Akhtar, chief secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department.

Further, District Health and Family Welfare department has also issued an order saying no patients coming from Kerala will be allowed to enter Mangaluru. The order was issued due to rising number of cases of coronavirus patients in Kasargod.