Urging people to take necessary precautions, while cautioning about the possible second wave of COVID-19, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Saturday said according to experts till March end it is crucial.

Also ruling out any COVID curbs like lockdown or curfew measures in Karnataka for now, he said the state has not come to that situation and all necessary precautions were being taken so that the state does not reach such a stage.

The Minister also said the health department is seeking cooperation from Home and Revenue departments besides district administrations to control COVID spread in districts bordering Kerala and Maharashtra, states that have seen a spike in cases in recent days.

Karnataka has issued new guidelines mandating all those coming from Kerala and Maharashtra to the state to carry a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours.

''There are laws on one side, but the civic sense is also required in protecting our own health, so people of the state have to understand and make necessary changes in their conduct by following necessary precautions... till March end is an important stage according to the technical advisory committee report,'' Sudhakar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said necessary precautions have to be taken at least till March end by compulsorily following things like wearing masks, maintaining distance, and all those who have the opportunity should get vaccinated.

Further stating that there is no spike in the number of cases in Karnataka and the mortality rate is 1.3 percent, the Minister said, ''we will have to stop the possible second wave in the same way.'' ''There is a sense about the second wave coming in Maharashtra and Kerala.It should not come in our state, we have to control it,'' he said.

Stating that Maharashtra and Kerala for the last few weeks have seen a spike in cases, Sudhakar said about ten districts share borders with these two states and it is time for Karnataka to be cautious.

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