BENGALURU: The state government is drawing up a comprehensive plan which will balance lifting of current lockdown restrictions with preparedness for a possible third wave of Covid-19 infections, health minister K Sudhakar claimed on Thursday.
The state had imposed a total lockdown from the last week of April to flatten infections from a deadly second wave. The government had partially lifted curbs in some districts from the beginning of this week (June 14) and intends to relax more restrictions in a second instalment from Monday (June 21).
However, Sudhakar insisted abundant caution is needed.
“The process of a graded unlock and preparations for future Covid requirements should go together,” the minister said. “While considering partial relaxation for trade and service sectors, we are also focusing on preventive measures and preparations to combat an anticipated surge in cases.”
Sudhakar is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Covid-19 technical advisory committee (TAC) on Friday, where recommendations to ease curbs as well as medical preparedness to tackle any fresh surge of infections will be discussed.
The minister said the government is considering allowing hotels, restaurants, malls and non-essential shops to open with riders such as time restrictions and limited occupancy. “Even public transport could operate in a limited manner. A detailed notification regarding the next phase of unlock will be released in a day or two,” he said.
The TAC has reportedly told the government to observe the impact of Unlock 1.0, in effect since June 14, for two weeks. The panel wants the government to study the level of infection and behaviour of the virus in the wake of the return of migrant workers before deciding on unlocking other sectors, especially ones where crowds could gather.
While a third wave is anticipated in October-November, some experts have warned that it could hit as early as August. Sudhakar said the government is awaiting a report from the Dr Devi Shetty-headed panel on preparedness for the third wave. He said work on augmenting medical infrastructure is already on with the focus on paediatric care.
CN Ashwath Narayan, deputy chief minister and chairman, Covid-19 task force, had held a meeting with BBMP officials on Wednesday to take stock of preparations in Bengaluru — a hotspot for infections.
“We plan to set up 100-bed secondary hospitals in each assembly constituency and a tertiary hospital in every four constituencies, besides upgrading infrastructure in all primary health centres. Considering the urgency, we have fixed a tough self-imposed deadline of 15 days,” Narayan said. The plan entails retention of existing Covid hospitals, notwithstanding low occupancy at present, and roping in corporate entities to set up new hospitals. For instance, the Haj Bhavan Covid Care Centre, which has 100 HDU beds and 30 ICU beds, has only 10 patients, but the government wants to retain the facility.
A 100-bed state-of-art hospital, sponsored by Boeing India and Selco Foundation, in Yelahanka is set to be inaugurated on Saturday.
“Extensive vaccination coverage is another aspect of preparedness. Our aim is to ensure 50% of adults get at least one dose by next month,” said Gaurav Gupta, BBMP chief commissioner.
