BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has made masks mandatory in all closed spaces like shopping malls, restaurants, pubs, educational institutions, offices, industries, private vehicles and public transport, among others across the state.
The commissionerate of health and family welfare services said in a directive on Friday that there is a need for stricter implementation of precautionary measures given the rising Covid-19 infections. Police personnel and BBMP marshals will help the health department enforce the mandatory mask rule in Bengaluru city.
The order also said that that those with ILI and SARI signs must be tested for Covid-19 on priority and isolated at home till the results are out. The announcement comes in the backdrop of a directive from the Centre to closely monitor the situation as the number of Covid-19 cases are on the rise across the country.
In Karnataka, the number of fresh Covid-19 positive cases crossed the 500-mark on Friday ( 525). The city recorded 494 new cases. The state's count saw a 11% jump over Thursday and the city's 7%. The count has also increased in other districts, which were reporting one or two cases daily till Thursday. On Friday, Mysuru saw eight new cases, Dakshina Kannada seven and Ballari four. tnn
