Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada in total shutdown mode on Saturday

MANGALURU: All commercial activities will be shut down in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka for a day on Saturday.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under the presidentship of District In charge minister Kota Srinivasa Poojari on Friday.
The meeting was of the view that since there were rise in number of positive cases, as also there were increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in neighbouring districts of Kasaragod, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, a tough call had to be taken to prevent people from venturing out in the absence of social distancing norms not being followed.
Depending on the situation on Saturday, the district administration will take a decision on extending the bandh or providing partial relief, officials said.
The decision has been taken following instructions from Prime Minister and Chief Minister, a statement from Information Department stated.
On Saturday, all commercial activities, establishments, retail shops will remain closed. There is no clarity on whether petrol bunks would be open, but sources said they too would remain shut as that point was not raised.
Sources said though MP Nalin Kumar Kateel wanted the district to be shut down for three days at a stretch, others at the meeting strongly opposed even for a day's total shutdown. But finally, members at the meeting agreed on a day's shut down after taking into consideration the prevailing situation and PM's instructions..
The meeting was attended by MLAS, ZP president, Mayor and senior officials.