Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Saturday pleaded with COVID-19 donors to transfer donations online, rather than meeting him personally with cheques to uphold physical distancing amid lockdown.

"It is my humble request to all Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) donors to please send over contributions online rather than to me in person by cheque," tweeted Yediyurappa.

Though the intention of meeting him personally and handing over the cheques is appreciated, Yediyurappa said such physical appearances will defeat the goal of physical or social distancing in COVID-19 times.

"Although your deed is greatly appreciated, meeting in person beats the purpose of social distancing," he said.

Yediyurappa promised that all donations will be acknowledged and brought to his notice even though contributed online sans physical appearance.

"Your donations will be acknowledged and brought to my notice through my team even when done online," he observed.

The CMRF website is also asking donors to tweet the details of their donations for an official government retweet.