Coronavirus: Karnataka govt to to suspend biometric attendance temporarily

As a precautionary measure to control the spread of coronavirus in Karnataka, the state government has planned to suspend biometric attendance for the time-being at its offices, also incorporate and IT companies, Medical Education Minister DrK Sudhakarsaid on Saturday.

He said the government has taken all precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus in the state. "Our Additional Chief Secretary has already spoken to IT companies yesterday on behalf of the government regarding guidelines that need to be followed, it is part of it...we will do it in the government also in the days to come,"

Sudhakar told reporters here. He was responding to a question about suspending biometric attendance at offices in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Asked about suspending biometric attendance at government offices, he said, "we have planned to do it yesterday."

Sudhakar said so far in Karnataka not even one case has been identified, to that extent we have been taking precautionary measures effectively. He said from villages to state capital Bengaluru at all levels the health department officials have been activated as part of the precautionary measures.

Also, committees headed by Deputy Commissioners have been formed in all district, he added. "We have given certain guidelines to people. We have also included private hospitals. We have taken all precautionary measures to stop the virus from entering the state," he added. In response to a question regarding masks, the Minister clarified that those who have the symptoms of the disease only should use them.

He said, "N95 masks are required only for those who have tested positive, there is not even a single positive case in the state so far...surgical masks that will have three layers can be used by those who have symptoms like cough, cold, fever." In the state as a precautionary measure 2,500 beds have been kept ready if the situation arises, despite not having a single case.