Karnataka on Monday became the latest state to announce a lockdown for 14 days from April 27 at 9 pm till May 12 to control the rapid spread of coronavirus. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said the decision to “close down” the state was taken at a Cabinet meeting after consulting experts on ways to contain the pandemic, adding strict measures to control COVID-19 will be taken.
The state cabinet also decided to provide COVID-19 vaccinations free of cost at government hospitals for those between 18-45 years of age, Yediyurappa said after a three-hour meeting.
Here are the guidelines that need to be followed:
- Stating that Bengaluru and its surroundings have seen the worst spike in cases, the CM said shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to remain open only from 6am to 10am.
- Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said transportation of goods will be allowed both inter and intra-state. There will be no public transport.”
- “The agriculture sector and manufacturing sector, except garments, construction sector and medical and essential sectors will continue to operate,” he said adding that deputy commissioners of all districts and Tahsildars have been instructed to take strict measures.
- All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings and congregation are prohibited. Religious places will remain closed for public. “However, all personnel engaged in the service of the place of worship shall continue to perform their rituals and duties without involving any visitors,” the order said. Hotels, restaurants and hospitality services can only act as takeaway and home delivery.
- Flights and trains scheduled will continue to operate during the lockdown.The tickets will act as a pass for movement of persons by taxis, cab aggregators and autorickshaws to board flight and trains.
- Only those swimming pools approved by the Swimming Federation of India will be opened for sports persons for training purposes only.
- Karnataka government offices and departments dealing with health, municipal administration, district administration, medical education, police, civil defence, defence, fire and emergency services, water, electricity and sanitation will continue to operate.
- The offices functioning under the government of India such as defence, defence PSUs, armed police forces, public utilities, such as petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG, power generation and disaster management will also function.
- Reserve Bank of India, banks, RBI regulated financial markets, and microfinance institutions with bare minimum staff can operate.
The CM said there is no shortage of oxygen and said the Centre has increased the daily quota from 300 metric tonnes to 800 metric tonnes. Supply of Remdevisir drug for treatment of COVID-19 has been enhanced and there is no shortage here.
If people cooperate, we may not have to extend the curbs as we need to bring the pandemic under control.
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