Amid the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 that has shaken the nation to the core, Karnataka will go under “lockdown-like” curfew for 14 days. In another bid to curb the COVID-19 cases in state, Karnataka will be under a complete curfew for 14 days from 9 PM, Tuesday. Meanwhile, to appease the local residents, the state has decided that the shops offering essential services and products will stay open from 6 AM to 10 PM every morning.

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“From tomorrow night for 14 days, there will be a full shut down in the whole state. Bars and restaurants can provide takeaway service. Detailed orders will be issued later in the day,” the chief minister B. S. Yediyurappa said.

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Background

The decision to impose a state-wide lockdown for 2 weeks comes after the Karnataka registered 38,804 fresh COVID-19 cases. Bengaluru contributed the most with 20,733 new cases coming from the city. With that, the state’s total tally rose up to 13,39,201 with over than 2,62,160 active cases. What’s alarming is that the state has 20% positivity ratio. This means that in every 5 tests, 1 person is tested positive.

It should be noted that the state is already functioning under a partial-lockdown like state in the past 5 days. All the gyms, restaurants, bars, clubs have not been allowing customers. Bengaluru city, which is an IT hub, has been under a night curfew and a complete weekend curfew since April 19.

Karnataka Curfew: What’s allowed?

1. All stores and properties selling and dealing in essential services and products will remain open from 6 AM to 10 PM. The stores and places will have to ensure patrons follow all the COVID-19 safety protocols.

2. All the activities related to agriculture, construction, pharmaceutical, manufacturing will continue operating with all the safety norms at place.

3. Restaurants and bars will remain open only for takeaways.

4. Interstate transportation of cargo and goods is given a green light.

Karnataka Curfew: What’s not allowed?

1. Interstate and intra-state travel other than cargo movement is not permitted.

2. Manufacturing industry related to garments will not be permitted to operate as people have to be in close proximity.

3. Public commute will not be allowed and traveling without genuine emergency cause will be cause of punishment and fines.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru CM also announced that people above the age of 18 will not only be eligible for vaccination from 1st May, but people between 18-45 can get free vaccination from Government hospitals. The announcement came in the form of a tweet.

COVID-19 vaccines free for those between 18-44 at govt centres

CM Yediyurappa wrote, “Covid19 vaccine will be provided free of cost to citizens between 18-44 years of age at all govt vaccination centers across Karnataka. Union Govt vaccination drive for citizens above 45 years of age will continue. I urge all eligible to register themselves from April 28.”

Govt increases Karnataka’s oxygen quota

Regarding the oxygen situation, the CM claimed that the state is not facing any oxygen shortage and moreover, the Centre has increased the state’s oxygen quota from 300 MT to 800 MT.

“People will have to cooperate”: Bengaluru CM

The CM also warned the citizens of Karnataka and said that if things don’t come under control in the coming two weeks, the strict measures will be continued. “People will have to cooperate,” Mr. Yediyurappa said.

Moreover, when asked about whether Karnataka’s curfew is a lockdown or a half lockdown, the Chief Minister told the reporters that they can interpret however they like. “We have stated the measures we are going to bring into effect,” said Mr. Yediyurappa.