Now, official spokespersons to brief media on Corona: Health Minister Sudhakar

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The State Government is appointing doctors as official spokespersons to give authentic information on the Covid-19 pandemic, said Health and Medical Education Minister Dr.K. Sudhakar.

Talking to the media here on Wednesday, he said this was being done to check dissemination of wrong information about the virus among the general public. Around 15 to 18 teams for Bengaluru and one or two technical panels would be constituted immediately and they should be the only official spokespersons to share information on the pandemic.

The minister warned that action would be taken against those who circulate or give wrong information about the Corona pandemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act. Talking without documents would be considered as an offense and they would be booked as per the existing rules.

The minister also said that a meeting of health experts and members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai would take place on Jan 21 to review the situation which included the positivity rate and mortality rate. Then the committee would take a decision on continuing or lifting the weekend curfew. Ultimately, the life of common people is very important. “I am optimistic that the CM will take a pro-people decision on Friday”.

Asked about the opposition from several BJP leaders to the night and weekend curfew, the minister said he has observed the statement of everyone.

The CM would take a call on Friday after considering both pros and cons. In the last one week, the infection has spiked and so has the positivity rate, he added.