Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said that marshalls would be deployed at wedding halls in the state to restrict spread of COVID-19 infection.

“As people at large gatherings are not following the Covid-induced guidelines, marshalls will be deployed at weddings and receptions to prevent the second wave of the virus in the state,” Sudhakar told media persons on Monday. “As wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and sanitising hands have to be compulsorily followed by all, marshalls will ensure people comply with the guidelines,” said Sudhakar.

The state government has limited gatherings to 500 people at private functions like weddings, receptions and other social events, with wearing mask and maintaining social distancing mandatory. “As we don't want to have a situation in our state like in Maharashtra where lockdown and other restrictions have been re-imposed in some towns and cities to check the virus spread, people have to maintain Covid appropriate behaviour to avoid harsh measures again,” Sudhakar added.

The minister also cautioned at re-enforcing lockdown and restrictions on the movement of people in cities. “Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is monitoring the vaccination drive and will hold a meeting with the officials this weekend to ramp up the process to achieve the target,” he said.

RTPCR TEST MANDATORY

With infections on the rise in the neighbouring states of Kerala and Maharashtra, Karnataka government has stepped up vigil by regulating the entry of people through the borders to check the virus spread.

Clearing that no restriction has been imposed for inter-state travel, Sudhakar said those entering Karnataka from Kerala and Maharashtra by road, in train or by air should have a negative RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours before the journey.

(With inputs from IANS)