On the first day of the fourth phase of lockdown, Karnataka has announced many relaxations but said the State will not allow people from four Covid -19 hit States to enter Karnataka. Further the State also announced ease of lockdown norms and lifts several restrictions.
In a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced that Karnataka will not allow entry of people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu till May 31 as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
He announced easing of many restrictions which include operation of cabs, buses, opening of shops and allowing trains within Karnataka from Tuesday.
According to Government sources Chief Minister has taken this decision to give a boost to the economy of the State which has taken a beating at the time of Covid-19 lockdown. Yediyurappa said trains and state corporation buses will run within Karnataka and shops will be allowed to open.
“Strict lockdown measures will be followed in containment zones and economic activities will be permitted in other areas. Sundays will be total lockdown across the State,” he said. Yediyurappa announced that strict lockdown measures will be in place in containment zones. He said all economic activities will be permitted in the State except for red zones.
According to Chief Minister only 30 people would be allowed to travel in the buses and wearing of face masks and maintaining physical distancing are mandatory. He said bus fares will not be increased and inter-state transport would not be allowed, except in emergency cases.
Auto and taxis were also given green signal to get on to roads, but there should be only three passengers, including the driver. In maxi-cabs, the maximum number should be four passengers, including driver.
The State has also allowed parks to open up for the public, though gyms and golf course will remain shut. All shops that are standalone, independent shops can open across the city, except for the ones in malls. Salons will be allowed to operate from Tuesday with fresh guidelines on their operations.
The Centre on Sunday extended the nation-wide lockdown for another 14 days till May 31 and warned of strict action under the Disaster Management Act and Indian Penal Code if the fresh guidelines are not followed. This is the fourth time the lockdown has been imposed in the country.
The nationwide lockdown was first imposed for 21 days starting March 25 and then extended on April 15 and later on May 4 with an aim to halt the spread of novel coronavirus.
Meanwhile the number Covid -19 cases in Karnataka has shot to 1231 from yesterday’s 1162. Eom/blr