Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday, 26 April, announced that in a bid to contain the raging COVID-19 crisis, the entire state – including Bengaluru city – will go under full lockdown for 14 days from the night of 27 April.
Night curfew and weekend lockdowns are already being imposed in the state as the number of cases have been on the rise since the start of April.
The decision for a state lockdown came after a Cabinet meeting on Monday morning as the state registered a record high of 34,000 COVID-19 cases on Sunday.
“We have come to a decision after speaking to all ministers and experts,” Yediyurappa said.
Here’s all you need to know about the new restrictions.
Will people be able to step out at all?
Yes, people will be allowed to go out from 6 am to 10 am for essentials after which shops will remain closed. Essential services will continue and a curfew will be in place as seen on weekends.
What about public transport?
Public transport will remain shut. Inter- and intra-state travel will be allowed only for emergency purposes during the lockdown. Metro rail services will be closed. Taxis and rickshaws will operate only for emergencies.
Are flights and trains operations to and fro from Bangalore?
Only flights and trains will continue to operate and tickets for the same will be considered as a movement pass.
Are schools and colleges going to be open?
All educational institutes will be closed. However, scheduled exams will continue with strict adherence to COVID norms.
What about hotels and entertainment spaces?
All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings and large congregations will be prohibited.
Hotels and hospitality services will be closed, except for home delivery. All cinemas, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, pools, assembly halls, etc will be closed. Stadia and playgrounds will be closed, except for organising sports events and for practice, but only without spectators.
Will healthcare services be available still?
All health services, including AYUSH, blood banks, pharmaceutical and research labs, etc and veterinary hospitals, will remain functional.
Will places of worship be open?
All places of worship will be closed to the public. Personnel and staff, however, will continue to perform the rituals.
Will shelter homes be open?
Social sector spaces, such as homes for children, mental and physical disabilities, senior citizens, women, etc, will be open. Observation homes for juveniles will remain open and MNREGA work will continue to function.
Will financial services and banks operate during lockdown?
Banks, insurance services, ATMs will be functional. Print and electronic media will operate and food-processing and allied industries too.
Will agriculture sector be allowed to operate?
All agricultural activities, including poultry, meat, diary, fisheries etc, will continue to operate.
Is there enough oxygen in hospitals?
CM Yediyurappa announced that the Centre has increased the daily quota from 300 metric tonnes to 800 metric tonnes and there was no oxygen shortage.
Will manufacturing sector continue to run?
Yes, only construction, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors will continue without prohibitions. The Karnataka government has also allowed the home delivery of alcohol.
Did the CM say anything about vaccination?
Yediyurappa also announced that the state government will vaccinate people above the age of 18 years free of cost at government hospitals across the state.
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