Covid-19: Karnataka notifies new law to protect healthcare workers

The State Government on Wednesday promulgated the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Ordinance 2020 to protect healthcare workers and officials engaged in Covid-19 related duties. The new law provides for stringent punishment to persons who come in the way of their official duties or those who vandalise public or private property.

The Cabinet on Monday decided to promulgate the ordinance in view of its urgency on the lines of Uttar Pradesh and Kerala. Karnataka's ordinance provides for imprisonment of six months to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for the offences punishable under this law.

If anyone or grounds are found involved in damaging a public or private property, then the government will recover twice the value of the property as decided by the authorities, the ordinance says.


Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his Cabinet colleagues favoured a new law in view of the recent instances of threats to healthcare workers and vandalism at Padarayanapura in Bengaluru on Sunday night.