Karnataka has announced a two-week lockdown amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. In an order issued on Friday, the BS Yediyurappa government said the lockdown will be from 10th May 6 a.m. to 24th May 6 a.m.
The state government of Karnataka on Friday decided to impose a strict state-wide lockdown from May 10 to May 24. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said the 14-day lockdown will start at 6am on May 10 and end at 6am on May 24.
The main differences in the newly imposed lockdown guidelines, when compared to the current rules, are that private vehicles will not be allowed to move freely and all intra-state travels between districts, cities and villages will be banned, except for medical and other emergency services.
The movement of essential goods and services are allowed, and shops selling groceries can remain open from 6 am to 6 pm, the state government said. Other services and tasks allowed to continue during the lockdown are road repair work and cargo vehicles. Shops and other commercial units like hotels, pubs, bars and industries that are not directly related to providing essential services will have to stay closed till the lockdown lifts up.
Karnataka has 536,641 active cases, of which Bengaluru city alone has contributed 341,978 cases. While the state has reported 17,804 COVID-19 deaths so far, Bengaluru has reported 7,491 deaths. India reports 4, 01,078 new COVID-19 cases, 3,18,609 recoveries, and 4,187 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union health ministry.
Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar, on the statement issued by the government, said that-
“The situation of COVID-19 in the state was reviewed and it was observed that daily new COVID-19 positive cases have continued unabated with a high positivity rate. The state is satisfied that further stringent containment measures are needed to be implemented to combat the surge of cases.”
Also read- Karnataka to go under “lockdown-like” curfew for 14 days from April 27
Lockdown: What’s not allowed
1. Schools and colleges (Online/ distance learning is permitted).
2. Cinemas, shopping malls, stadiums and swimming pools.
3. Social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings and congregations.
4. No movement of public or private buses or passenger vehicles.
Lockdown: What’s allowed
1. Flights and trains: Tickets will act as a pass for movement of person.
2. Karnataka government offices.
3. Departments dealing with health.
4. Municipal administration, District administration.
5. Medical education.
6. Police, civil defence, defence, fire and emergency services.
7. Water, electricity and sanitation.
Recent update
The Supreme Court on Friday arranged the Karnataka high court’s order that the state’s daily oxygen allocation should be increased from 965 to 1200 metric tons. The state’s upcoming challenge is storage and transportation. Jagadish Shettar, who is in charge of the oxygen supply in Karnataka said that, “We have requested the centre to provide five cryogenic trucks, and it has agreed. It’s just a matter of time.”
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