CM warns of stern action against violators; Will public adhere?

Bengaluru: Heeding to experts’ advice, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has announced a total lockdown in the entire State from 6 am on  May 10 till 6 am on May 24 in view of spiralling Covid-19 cases.

There was already a curfew in place in the State from April 27 which was to end on May 12. 

“The second wave of Covid-19 is creating havoc as the Corona Curfew imposed in the State has not yielded the expected result in reducing the infection and death rates. Therefore, the Government has decided to impose a stringent measure to check the spread of the disease and death,” the CM said after consultations with top brass of various Departments and his Cabinet colleagues here yesterday.

He said all shops and commercial establishments, hotels, pubs and bars will remain closed during this period. Essential goods and services like food, medicine, milk, fruits and vegetables will be available from 6 am to 10 am. Nobody will be allowed to come out on streets after 10 am. “We will initiate stringent action on those who violate lockdown measures,” he warned.

“I appeal to all labourers not to leave Bengaluru… instead they will be allowed to work at construction sites,” he said.

On Friday, Karnataka reported 48,781 fresh Covid-19 infections, while the fatality hit 17,804 with 592 new deaths. According to the Health Department bulletin, the total positive cases stood at 18,38,885, whereas there were 5,36,641 active cases in the State.

Stringent curbs

• Only flights and trains will continue to operate during this period. Flight and train tickets shall serve as passes for movement of persons by personal vehicles/taxis/cab aggregators/autorickshaws to board flight and trains. 
• Metro rail services prohibited.
• Taxis (including autorickshaws) and services of cab aggregators, except while hired for emergency and as permitted in these guidelines.
• Schools, colleges, educational/coaching institutions etc., will remain closed. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
• Hotels, restaurants, and hospitality services, except those meant for housing health/police/Government officials/ healthcare workers/stranded persons including tourists, quarantine facility and Step Down Hospitals. 
• However, hotels, restaurants and eateries shall be permitted to operate kitchens for take away/home delivery of food items only. 
• No vehicles will be allowed to be used by persons for taking parcels/takeaway. Only movement by walk is allowed for this purpose. However, hotels, restaurants and eateries can use vehicles for home delivery.
• All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, stadia, playgrounds, swimming pools, parks, entertainment parks, clubs, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
• All social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions/other gatherings & large congregations.
• All religious places/ places of worship shall be closed for public.
• No movement of public or private buses or passenger vehicles except as permitted under these guidelines.

What’s allowed

• Inter-State and Intra-State movement of passenger vehicles, only in cases of emergencies or as permitted under these guidelines.
• Intra-District movement of passenger vehicles and buses only in emergency cases and strictly adhering to the prevailing SOPs/guidelines issued by Department of Health and Family Welfare.
• Shops dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, and animal fodder shall be allowed to function from 6 am to 10 am. 
• Public Distribution System (Fair Price Shops) shops are allowed. 
• Take away only is allowed from standalone liquor shops and outlets from 6 am to 10 am.
• Sale of vegetables and fruits through push-carts is allowed from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Milk booths & Hopcom outlets allowed from 6 am to 6 pm. 
• Home delivery of essential items shall be encouraged 24×7 to minimise movement of individuals outside their homes.