Karnataka extends lockdown till June 30, issues guidelines

Bengaluru, May 31: Karnataka government has decided to extend lockdown measures till June 30. However, malls, restaurants, hotels and places of worship will be allowed to reopen from June 8 onwards.

In keeping with the directives of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar issued an order, which will immediately come into effect and "will be in force up to June 30, 2020."

• No restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements.
• Further considering public health and assessment of the prevalence of Covid-19 in various states, separate orders will be issued by Health and Family Welfare Department on inter-state movement of people to Karnataka.
• Religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services and shopping malls will be allowed to function from June 8.
• A decision to open schools, colleges, educational, training, coaching institutions will be taken in July after consulting with the stakeholders.
• "The state government will hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July 2020," the order read.
• The government will take a call on resuming international air travel of passengers, metro rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places based on the assessment of the situation.
• The decision to re-start social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other large congregation would be taken later.
• The night curfew hours have been relaxed further. Instead of 7 pm to 7 am, the night curfew will be effective from 9 pm to 5 am throughout the state except for essential activities.
• In the containment zones, lockdown shall continue to remain in force till June 30, the order said adding that only the essential activities will be allowed there.
• The district and municipal authorities have to identify the buffer zones outside the containment zones. The government has appealed to those above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes.