Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday asked district administrations to take required stringent measures to ensure people remain at home and do not come out unnecessarily, to control the spread of COVID-19 virus.
Asking officials to strictly enforce the lockdown, he told authorities to even consider arresting those who violate the order and come out unnecessarily.
Yediyurappa held a videoconferencing with Deputy Commissioners of all districts on measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19 and for implementation of the lockdown.
Several senior ministers and top government officials took part in the video conferencing.
"The Chief Minister has clearly instructed the Home Department to enforce lockdown in Bengaluru and other parts of the state strictly," Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar told reporters after the meeting.
Asked whether the Chief Minister has directed police to arrest people who violate the lockdown, he said, "there is no other way. We can't beat them, then how to do it? So some strong measures need to be taken for safety of the people."
"This will not only help people buy necessary items near their houses, but will also benefit small traders and it will also curtail people from going to markets and city centres,"
He said steps should be taken against sale of essential supplies at high cost