Further easing lockdown restrictions, the Karnataka government on Saturday announced “unlock 3.0”, permitting opening of all shops, restaurants, malls, private offices and religious places till 9 p.m. in all districts, barring Kodagu, from Monday.
All public transport is allowed to operate up to its seating capacity. However, all educational intuitions, tutorials, colleges would remain closed until further orders.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa chaired a high-level meeting with ministers and senior officials and said night curfew would continue to be imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. till July 19. The weekend curfew has been done away with.
No theatres, pubs
As per the new guidelines, theatres, cinema halls and pubs would remain closed, while swimming pools would be permitted for competitive training purposes only. Sports complexes and stadia would also be opened only for practice purposes.
The Chief Minister said all social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions, other gatherings and large congregations would continue to be prohibited.
He said marriages, family functions would be permitted involving not more than 100 people. Cremation, funerals to be allowed with a maximum of 20 people. Religious places would be allowed to open only for darshan and no sevas would be allowed.
The Chief Minister said deputy commissioners based on their assessment of the situation and after consultation with the district-in-charge ministers, are permitted to impose additional containment measures.
Mr. Yediyurappa specified that lockdown restrictions would continue in Kodagu district as the COVID-19 positivity rate is more than 5%.
Masks mandatory
The guidelines issued by Chief Secretary P. Ravi Kumar said the BBMP and district and local authorities should take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Authorities have been told to strictly enforce wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and maintaining social distance. Non-wearing of masks attract a fine of ₹250 in urban areas and ₹100 in rural areas.
During the night curfew, patients and their attendants or persons, who have to step out, would be allowed to move.
All industries/companies, which require operations at night, would be permitted to operate. Movement of employees of organizations would be allowed on producing valid ID card authorization issued by their respective companies.
Movement of goods vehicles, buses, trains and air travel are permitted. Movement of public transport, private vehicles and taxis to and from airports, bus terminals, bus stands, railway stations, would be allowed, on displaying valid travel documents during the curfew hours.
