Bengaluru, Jul 3 (IANS): Barring Sundays, there would be no lockdown in Karnataka, despite a surge in Covid cases, an official said on Friday.

"As announced on June 27, total lockdown will be enforced only on Sundays till August 2. Curfew, however, will continue daily from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to prevent the movement of people and vehicles to contain the coronavirus spread," an official of the Chief Minister's office told IANS here.

The clarification came amid media speculation that the state government was mulling to re-impose daily lockdown across the southern state from Monday as the SSLC board exams for Class 10 students ended on Friday.

"No meetings were held by the Chief Minister with cabinet colleagues or senior officials on imposing lockdown again on working days," the official said.

The clarification came on a day when a whopping 1,694 new Covid cases were reported from across the state, taking its tally to 19,710, including 10,608 active after 8,805 were cured and discharged, while 293 died of the infection till date.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru recorded 994 positive cases during the last 24 hours, taking its tally to 7,713 and active cases to 6,297 after 720 were discharged, while 105 died.

No activities will be permitted except essential services and supplies during the lockdown on Sundays.

"All government offices will, however, remain closed on first and third Saturday along with second and fourth Saturday with effect from July 11," said the statement.

The city civic corporation has been directed to set up more wholesale vegetable markets to avoid crowds gathering in them.

The state government has also allowed weddings on Sundays if scheduled earlier, with conditions such as wearing masks, sanitising hands, maintaining social distancing and limiting guests to 50 people.