Bengaluru, May 16 (IANS): Karnataka would follow the Central government's advice if the lockdown is extended after May 17 though it suggested for continuation of its restrictions only in containment areas, an official said on Friday.

"The state government will abide by the Centre's advice if the lockdown is extended beyond May 17 with more relaxations. We are waiting for it (advice) and guidelines from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs," an official in the Chief Minister's Office told IANS here.

PM Narendra Modi (left) and CM B S Yediyurappa

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive after his fifth interaction with Chief Ministers of all states through video conferencing on May 11, Karnataka favoured lockdown curbs even after May 17 in containment zones only and lifting them in other areas, which are free from the infection.

"Our assessment is relaxations will be for more activities in all areas except in red zones or hotspots though wearing mask, washing hands with sanitiser and maintaining physical distance will continue for all everywhere," said the official.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa wrote to the Prime Minister that the state wanted to do away with red, orange and green zones in all its 30 districts and strictly cordon off only containment areas, the official said.

The state also wants the containment areas or zones limited to 50-100 metres around known clusters and sealed off.

"Commercial activities, including public transport should be allowed in non-containment zones in all districts across the state, with safety norms like wearing mask and maintaining social distancing," said the official.

The state, however, favoured extension of ban on domestic and international travel till month-end to contain the virus spread.

"The state also sought resumption of all economic activities in stand-alone establishments with restriction on malls, cinema halls, dining facilities and centrally air-conditioned buildings," the official said.

The state has decided to place all returnees from overseas and other states by flights, trains, buses and other vehicles in 14-day institutional quarantine and allow them to go home if they test negative later.

All inter-state returnees should have a health clearance certificate from the local authority or designated hospital of the place they are coming through the inter-state border through trains or in buses for mandatory quarantine.

The state has reported 1,056 Covid positive cases till Friday, with 539 active cases, 480 discharged and 36 deaths since the outbreak of the disease.

Karnataka also informed the Union Health Ministry that there was no trace of Covid community transmission across the state and 25 per cent of cases were owing to domestic and international travel history.