COVID-19: To counter shortage, KSRTC makes its own cloth masks for staff

Coronavirus

KSRTC is providing hand sanitisers in the bus, besides sanitizing the vehicles and bus stations, it says.

Soumya Chatterjee

In a bid to offset the lack of supply of masks in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) is making reusable masks for its own staff. An official said that the mechanics of the Chamarajanagar Division were the first to start the drive. The masks are being made in the company workshops after cloth was acquired locally. Latha K, spokesperson for KSRTC, said, “The masks are stitched across divisions by our mechanics. These masks are washable. Since there is scarcity of masks in the market, this initiative was taken for our employees.”  Learning about this, KSRTC Managing Director Shivayogi C Kalasad appreciated the efforts and asked other divisions to also start this, she further said. “The cost of each mask comes to about Rs 3 and so far we have made 500 masks,” she added. Latha said that KSRTC has workshops with stitching machines to do upholstery work for bus seats, curtains in each division workshop. Staff have purchased only clothes from outside and stitched the masks. KSRTC has a total staff strength of 39,000. Other preventive measures  This initiative comes on the back of KSRTC  holding awareness programs and taking proactive measures for its staff and customers across bus depots in the state. In all major transit points, the KSRTC is screening passengers with the help of Health Department officials, states a press release. KSRTC says, buses and bus stations are being sanitized to prevent the speed of the virus. Hand sanitizers are also being provided inside the buses. Along with respective district administrations, bus depots are being cleaned, says KSRTC.  Starting from Wednesday, KSRTC has also stopped giving  blanket, bedspread and curtains in the buses as part of the mitigation exercise. Further in AC buses, temperature has been fixed to 24- 25 degree centigrade.  The movement of public at offices of KSRTC have also been restricted. Only matters of urgency are being addressed during a one-hour window. Due to several cancellations, the bus corporation states it has lost revenues worth Rs 10.85 crore until Friday.

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States still waiting on coronavirus tests as Trump tells them to do more

They’re still waiting. And without knowing who's ill and where, they can't realistically slow down the pandemic.

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Bengaluru rail officer suspended for 'not quarantining' son who tested COVID-19 positive

Coronavirus

The Assistant Personnel Officer’s son, who returned from Germany on March 13, was tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday.

Soumya Chatterjee

A gazetted railway officer of South Western Railway zone in Bengaluru has been suspended for not informing the state health officials that her son had returned from Germany via Spain, and for lodging him in a government rest house in the city on his arrival. Her son was eventually tested positive for COVID-19. The 25-year-old man, who came from Germany via Spain, was instructed to be in home-quarantine after he landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 13, Friday. His mother, that is, the officer in question, identified as Assistant Personnel Officer (Traffic) Nagalatha Guruprasad, then put up her son at the Officers Rest House near the station on March 17, although the reason is unknown. He was tested positive the next day, on March 18, Wednesday. The railway officer has been suspended for not informing the same to the state government or the rail authority. Ajay Kumar Singh, the General Manager of South Western Railways, issued the suspension order on March 19. In a statement, E Vijaya, Deputy General Manager, Public Relations, SWR, said, “As per the recent Karnataka Epidemic (the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020) Act, any person with a travel history to a country affected by COVID-19 or if comes in contact with such person shall declare the same and intimate the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka. Nagalata came in contact with her son who recently returned from Germany via Spain and she did intimate the state government or the railways about the same.” The statement added that the officer chose to quarantine her son in a government rest house frequented by railway officials, “posing a potential public health hazard”. A BBMP health official however, said that the man, a resident of Hubballi did the right thing of availing the railway facility rather than travelling long distances. “He has actually done a good job. He was himself thinking that he might have had the disease. He could have travelled to Hubballi or taken any hotel. But he took this as this is a restricted area. Even for the cab he took, he noted down the driver’s name and address. He has given all the details. For all the 4 days he stayed here, he did not leave the room, added the officer. However, the department is unhappy with the officer as it came to light that instead of staying in quarantine, the officer visited the office on Saturday. Railway officials told TNM that she has her own chamber in the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office and claimed that she did not come in contact with any other staff. They also added that she had taken leave and did not visit the office on Monday and Tuesday, contrary to some media reports. Meanwhile, the rest house has been shut for the public and is being sanitised by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body of Bengaluru. The Officers Rest House has also suspended allotment of suites as a preventive measure since Wednesday.      

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Karnataka govt is looking for ‘corona warriors’

Coronavirus

In a tweet, Captain Manivannan, an IAS officer who works with the Karnataka government, called for applications for volunteers for 60 days.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

The Karnataka government is looking for out-of-the-box solutions to the fake news menace around coronavirus. There are scores of messages with fake information being disseminated on social media, particularly WhatsApp, spreading false information regarding COVID-19. This includes news stories claiming that the Karnataka Health Minister endorses cow dung and urine as the cure for coronavirus, to WhatsApp forwards which claimed that the Bengaluru civic authority would spray the city with medicine at night from the sky. Such fake news and WhatsApp forwards have prompted the government to appeal for help from those who might be interested in helping people during the pandemic, and have a little extra time on their hands. In a tweet, Captain Manivannan, an IAS officer who works with the Karnataka government, called for applications for a volunteering position to fight fake news. Captain Manivannan, in his tweet, said, “Want to be a 'Corona Warrior' of Karnataka? Join hands with the Indian Red Cross Society and the Information dept (DIPR), Karnataka, in fighting Corona, thru disseminating correct news and killing the fake news!“ (sic) Want to be a 'Corona Warrior' of Karnataka? Join hands with the Indian Red Cross Society and the Information dept (DIPR), Karnataka, in fighting Corona, thru disseminating correct news and killing the fake news! Visit https://t.co/RSYteH2tCJ to register. Jai Hind! — Captain Manivannan (@mani1972ias) March 19, 2020 According to the disclaimer on the website, this is not a paid position. “Disclaimer: This is purely voluntary and informal, and hence no remuneration will be provided to you except an appreciation of your work. This will be for a period of 60 days.” People interested in the position would need to go here and fill up a form with their personal information, including date of birth and Aadhaar number. The website says, “After shortlisting and verification by our side, you will be issued an ID card by our local officer and you will work along with them. Once you are shortlisted, our local officer will call you, verify you and provide you with an identity card. You will then be a ‘Corona warrior’.”  

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Coronavirus: Person who attended music concert in Bengaluru tests positive?

Coronavirus

Meanwhile, a choreographer from Bengaluru, posted on Facebook that she had been told by the doctors that she is COVID-19 positive.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

Organisers of a music concert in Bengaluru revealed on Thursday that a person who has now tested positive for coronavirus had attended their event. The program “A Musical Evening with Mir Mukhtiyar Ali”, was organised at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall on March 12. The Sufi music concert was organised by India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), as a fundraising event. The concert was for one and a half hours, held at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.  “We would like to let you know that we have been intimated by an audience member who was present at the concert (that they have) tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, March 18, 2020. In the interest of your safety and wellbeing, we request you to take the required precautions and contact local health authorities, should you experience any symptoms. We understand that this is going to be a challenging and disruptive time for all of us and we regret the inconvenience caused. We are sending our best wishes to those who have fallen ill to get well soon and appealing the rest of you to stay safe,” the organisers said. (sic) Ruam Mukherjee from IFA, revealed that the patient had arrived from Switzerland and then attended the concert. While the identity of the patient at the concert is not known, a choreographer from Bengaluru, posted on Facebook that she had been told by the doctors that she is COVID-19 positive after returning from Switzerland. Diya Naidu wrote, "I am sorry to do this here. The BBMP is supposed to but seeing how unprepared we are I'm trying to make sure. I travelled to Switzerland on the 1st of March and got back on the 9th. I have tested positive for Covid and am in hospital currently. I was barely symptomatic at all. In case you have come into contact with me or someone who has met me - please quarantine yourself. Please share to people you know have met me." According, to ToI, Diya is admitted at the ESI hospital in Indira Nagar. Her throat swab may have confirmed COVID-19, but her blood results are yet to come. The Indian government waits for both these results to come, to conclude that someone has COVID-19. The Karnataka government is yet to announce a COVID-19 patient with a travel history to Switzerland.  Though it is not clear who the audience member at the concert was, Ryan said that they were glad that the event was not a houseful. “We saw a maximum of 200 people attending the concert. Many had bought the passes and did not show up. We have informed all the audience members about this, and have advised that they stay safe.

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Coronavirus: Person who attended music concert in Bengaluru tests positive?

Coronavirus

Meanwhile, a choreographer from Bengaluru, posted on Facebook that she had been told by the doctors that she is COVID-19 positive.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

Organisers of a music concert in Bengaluru revealed on Thursday that a person who has now tested positive for coronavirus had attended their event. The program “A Musical Evening with Mir Mukhtiyar Ali”, was organised at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall on March 12. The Sufi music concert was organised by India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), as a fundraising event. The concert was for one and a half hours, held at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.  “We would like to let you know that we have been intimated by an audience member who was present at the concert (that they have) tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, March 18, 2020. In the interest of your safety and wellbeing, we request you to take the required precautions and contact local health authorities, should you experience any symptoms. We understand that this is going to be a challenging and disruptive time for all of us and we regret the inconvenience caused. We are sending our best wishes to those who have fallen ill to get well soon and appealing the rest of you to stay safe,” the organisers said. (sic) Ruam Mukherjee from IFA, revealed that the patient had arrived from Switzerland and then attended the concert. Meanwhile, a choreographer from Bengaluru, posted on Facebook that she had been told by the doctors that she is COVID-19 positive after returning from Switzerland. Diya Naidu wrote, "I am sorry to do this here. The BBMP is supposed to but seeing how unprepared we are I'm trying to make sure. I travelled to Switzerland on the 1st of March and got back on the 9th. I have tested positive for Covid and am in hospital currently. I was barely symptomatic at all. In case you have come into contact with me or someone who has met me - please quarantine yourself. Please share to people you know have met me." According, to ToI, Diya is admitted at the ESI hospital in Indira Nagar. Her throat swab may have confirmed COVID-19, but her blood results are yet to come. The Indian government waits for both these results to come, to conclude that someone has COVID-19. The Karnataka government is yet to announce a COVID-19 patient with a travel history to Switzerland.  Though it is not clear who the audience member at the concert was, Ryan said that they were glad that the event was not a houseful. “We saw a maximum of 200 people attending the concert. Many had bought the passes and did not show up. We have informed all the audience members about this, and have advised that they stay safe.

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Second runway in Bengaluru airport marks first landing

Transport

The new runway had begun operations at the end of the first week of December 2019.

Soumya Chatterjee

The second runway also known as the ‘South Runway’ at the Kempegowda Airport in Bengaluru on Thursday marked its first commercial flight landing. The SpiceJet flight SG497 flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru landed at 9.40 am. With the second runway fully functional, the airport becomes the only Indian airport to have two parallel independent runways which can work simultaneously. Officials had earlier said 90 take-offs and touch-down in one hour can be carried out using the combined capacities.  The Bangalore International Airport Limited said, “With these regulatory clearances, the South Runway is now equipped to handle both arrivals and departures. BIAL is working with various stakeholders to commence rehabilitation projects of the North Runway (old runway).” This new runway had begun operations at the end of the first week of December 2019 but till now was only being used for take offs. The runway is 4,000 metres long and 45 metres wide, and will be equipped to allow landing and take off of Airbus A380 and similar large passenger planes. This second runway has been built as part of a massive Rs 13,000 crore expansion plan. As part of the rehaul, the airport which is the third busiest in the country will have a new terminal, widening of access roads, two metro stations and also a suburban rail station, The new runway is also equipped to facilitate flight operations at close to zero visibility (50m) conditions owing to its Cat-III-B ILS (Category 3 Instrument Landing Systems). The Cat-III-B ILS will negate the possibility of fog-induced delays and diversion in the airport.  As earlier announced, with the new runway up and running, the old runway will undergo repairs after functioning non-stop for a decade, and additional works to make it compliant with Cat-III-B ILS systems. 

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