Karnataka to relax lockdown in 19 districts, including Bengaluru Urban: Yediyurappa
Existing curbs extended till June 21 in 11 districts, including Chikkamagalur, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Belagavi and Kodagu
Extended hours for essential shops and street vendors from 6 am to 2 pm; parks open between 5 am and 10 am; daily curfew from 7 pm to 5 am and weekend curfew from 7 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday
No BMTC, KSRTC, metro services to operate, but inter-district travel restrictions lifted
BENGALURU:
Has the Karnataka government jumped the gun in lifting the lockdown-type curbs in 19 of the state’s districts, including Bengaluru Urban which comes under BBMP limits? The next week or so ought to either vindicate or wrongfoot Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s decision to relax the Covid-related restrictions in these districts. Even as the overall numbers are receding in Karnataka, Covid-positive cases are still high in other parts of the state, and the government has extended the current restrictions till June 21 in 11 other districts which still have a high positivity rate. The 11 districts in which the curbs will continue are: Chikkamagalur, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Belagavi and Kodagu.
The decision to relax the restrictions in Bengaluru Urban and 18 other districts was based on the recommendations of the state’s Technical Advisory Committee at a meeting on Thursday evening.
According to the CM, there are no changes/relaxations in the 11 districts where the existing guidelines will continue till 6 am on Monday, June 21. The CM has authorized the administrative heads of these 11 districts to take tougher measures, if required, in consultation with the district in-charge ministers.
Week’s test case?
Significantly, the CM also announced that the relaxations provided to Bengaluru Urban and 18 other districts will extend for a week, from 6 am on Monday, June 14 to 6 am on Monday, June 21.
Relaxations in 19 districts, including Bengaluru Urban
• 50 per cent staff allowed in all factories. However, only 30 per cent staff allowed in garment industry.
• All essential shops are allowed to open from 6 am to 2 pm, as against the earlier 6 am to 10 am.
• All construction activities are allowed. Cement and steel shops can open.
• Parks are allowed to be opened between 5 am and 10 am.
• Street vendors are allowed to operate from 6 am to 2 pm.
• Two passengers are allowed in autos and taxis.
• No BMTC, KSRTC or metro services to operate.
• Inter-district travel restrictions lifted.
• A Covid curfew will be in effect from 7 pm to 5 am.
• A weekend curfew will be in effect from 7 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday.
According to the government, detailed guidelines will be issued soon.
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