Karnataka Becomes First State To Open Meaningfully; Economic Activities To Resume Between 7 AM And 7 PM On All Days Except Sunday

Even as the lockdown is extended for the fourth time in the country, Karnataka announced a slew of relaxations and services that would resume, starting tomorrow.

After a meeting with ministers and senior officers regarding permitting various activities in the state in keeping with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced that the state will not allow entry of people from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat until 31 May, except those having to travel for unavoidable circumstances.

Sundays will see a complete lockdown in the state and no economic activity or movement of vehicles will be permitted.

“Everyone will have to stay at home on Sundays — that day will be of complete rest. No shops will be open, no vehicles permitted to move,” said B S Yediyurappa.

On other days though, all economic activities will resume between 7 am and 7 pm, as all shops other than those inside malls will be permitted to function.

The Chief Minister permitted the opening of salons and parks in the state. Joggers and health enthusiasts will now be able to access parks in Bengaluru from 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm.

While gyms will stay shut, sports complexes will be open.

Auto rickshaws and taxis will be allowed to ply in the state with driver and two passengers only.

Maxi cab drivers can run the cabs with three passengers. Street vendors too can set up stalls with the necessary precautions in place.

All buses, both run by the state transport corporation as well as private ones, will be allowed to run, except on Sundays, after 55 days.

In Bengaluru, all BMTC and KSRTC buses will ply on all routes. No buses will ply in containment zones and red zones.

All other bus movement will be resumed in stages and sporting masks will be compulsory for travel.

Only 30 passengers will be permitted in each bus. No interstate buses will be allowed to ply.

Trains within the state too will be permitted to run.

Malls, theatres, restaurants and temples in the state too will stay shut as they have been until now.

Strict lockdown measures will be in place in containment zones. Home quarantine will be strengthened. All those entering the state from other states will have to mandatorily follow quarantine rules and no exemptions will be made.

“Depending on the response to this lockdown until 31 May, the next set of actions will be taken, as the Centre has granted us all the liberty. No hike will be made in any bus fare and the loss borne by the KSRTC operators will be made good by the government,” said the Chief Minister.