From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 1: "Mask is the ultimate remedy to prevent COVID-19. This has been proved scientifically also,’’ asserts deputy chief minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan.

Dr Narayan, who is higher education minister and a medical doctor by profession, says the public should realize the importance of masks and use the cleansed masks without negligence.

He was speaking to reporters after attending meeting of State Cabinet on Thursday.

The deputy chief minister had tested corona positive and self-quarantined himself before the beginning of the recently concluded session of the Karnataka legislature.

"The virus should not be allowed to spread further. Everybody should feel duty-bound to achieve this. No one should remove the mask while conversing. The government does not like to impose fines for those who do not wear masks. But people should not forget to adhere to the advisories of the government," he explained.

The government has decided to impose a fine of Rs 1000 in urban areas and Rs 500 in rural areas for not wearing the mask. But there are objections from certain sections of the society saying that this fine is on the higher side.

However, in this case, he said the health of the people is more important than whether the fine is higher or lesser.

"In the beginning, everybody had thought that the COVID-19 would vanish after some time. But that has not happened in reality. The pandemic is being continued for quite a long period. Protecting the health of the people is the responsibility of the government,’’ Dr Ashwatha Narayana said.

In the current situation, it has become inevitable to live along with the virus. So, while venturing out it is mandatory to wear the mask. Otherwise, it may result in fatality. This also leads to further spread of the virus, he said.

But some people are still are engaged in their activities without wearing masks. They should think of both protecting their health as well as the health of others heath. So, in view of this the government has decided to impose fines, he explained.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is not a matter to be considered lightly. This is certainly a deadly virus. I myself have experienced the severity of this. This affects the health of the person. There will be a wide difference between the health of a person pre-coronavirus infection and the post-corona virus. Nobody should put to the difficulties as I faced due to this virus,’’ he added.

Dates for reopening of schools, colleges will be finalized soon

The state government would come out with clear information with regard to the opening of schools and colleges in the state very soon, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan higher education minister and deputy chief minister announced in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, he said the UGC had already set guidelines with regard to this matter and the state government was making preparations accordingly.

He further said clear information would emerge after discussing with minister primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar.

Academic activities have already been started by taking all the necessary precautions. To further this process, the date as to when students can physically attend the schools and colleges would be finalized after consultations with all the stakeholders, Dr Ashwath Narayan explained.

The state government would decide the date after taking into account all the pros and cons of this as per COVID-19 guidelines, he said.