‘Are we not vulnerable to deadly coronavirus?’ ask teachers, transport employees

As the Karnataka government has declared a lock down till March 31 due to coronavirus outbreak, the teachers at government institutions and transport corporation employees asked the government if they are “not vulnerable to such dangers”

The Karnataka government has asked its teachers at government institutions to work till 5 pm and has asked bus drivers and conductors to work as well. As a result, they have expressed displeasure over the move. 

General secretary of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) workers association, Anand, said, "We are more at risk, but we have to work. This is insane. We also need some protection. Many passengers who may not know about being infected may come in contact with us. Who will take responsibility if anything happens?"

In BMTC, there are 36,000 employees and in Karnataka State Transport Corporation (KSRTC), there are 30,000 workers. And all have been asked to report to work. 

Similarly in government institutions, all the teachers and lecturers are supposed to stay in office till 5 pm. Over 2 lakh government teachers have also expressed fear of contracting the deadly virus. While children have been asked to stay away from attending schools, the teachers have no work in these institutions.