From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 10: Barring 11 districts, including Dakshina Kannada, the state government has announced partial unlock consequent to the lowering of the Covid positivity rate with effect from June 14 morning 6 am when the present lockdown was scheduled to end.
In Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Davangere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya Belagavi and Bengaluru Rural districts, which have a higher positivity rate of above 5%, the present complete lockdown will continue for another week or from June 14, 6 am to June 21, 6 am.
However, in the 19 districts including Bengaluru Urban, there will be a strict weekend curfew from Friday night at 7 pm till Monday morning at 5 am.
Announcing the state government’s decision on the Covid control decisions based on the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee and after consultations with senior officials and ministers, chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday night said in the 11 districts, where the present complete lockdown restrictions will be continued, the deputy commissioners and the in-charge ministers of the districts have been empowered to implement even more stringent restrictions based on the prevailing situation.
The KSRTC bus transport, as well as BMTC bus transport services and Metro service, will not be operated for another week or till June 21 even as the chief minister allowed the operation of autorickshaws, taxies and cabs. However, the taxies, cabs as well as autorickshaws can carry only two persons.
Even though the chief minister announced unlock relaxations in 19 districts, including Bengaluru city, the four-hour window for enabling the people to buy essential commodities from 6 am to 10 am has been extended by 8 hours from 6 am to 2 pm. The street vendors are allowed to operate from 6 am to 2 pm.
All industries have been allowed to function in the 19 districts subject to 50% attendance by employees. However, the garment industries are allowed to operate with a 30% staff presence.
In another concession to the morning walkers and joggers in Bengaluru and the other 18 districts, where partial unlock has been announced, the chief minister said parks shall be opened from 5 am to 10 am.
With the grant permission for the resumption of construction activities, the chief minister has announced the shops and hardware outlets, especially cement and steel shops, have been allowed to be opened.
A detailed list of guidelines will be issued, the chief minister said.