Bengaluru under Unlock 2.0 from Monday

Bengaluru: On Saturday, the Karnataka government announced another set of relaxations in 16 districts, including Bengaluru urban, of 30 in the state which has less than 5% positivity rate. The relaxations will be in effect from Monday.

The existing restrictions (from Phase 1 of unlocking) will continue in 13 districts where the positivity rate is between 5% and 10%. Mysuru which has a positivity rate of 12% will be the only district under complete lockdown.

Phase 2 of unlocking in 16 districts will include the reopening of retail shops, commercial establishments, hotels, clubs and bars and restaurants till 5 pm. Besides, green signalling buses and Metro trains will operate with all the Covid-19 protocols.

However, the state will be under night curfew every day from 7 pm to 5 am. Also, weekends lockdowns will continue to exist from Fridays at 7 pm to Mondays at 5 am.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, after holding discussions with ministers, officials and members of the Covid technical advisory committee said lodges, resorts, gyms and private offices will be permitted to operate with 50% capacity in the 16 districts with a positivity rate below 5%. These relaxations will be from June 21 to July 5.

The CM said, “These new guidelines have been formulated keeping in mind the positivity rate in districts and they will be in force till July 5. We’ll review the situation later and take a call on relaxations.”

The outdoor shooting of films and serials and outdoor games without the audience will be permitted. Gyms can also operate but without air conditioning.

The CM said, “We’ve given these relaxations not because Covid severity has come down but to facilitate people to resume their livelihoods.” He urged people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour at all times.

Schools, colleges, religious places, shopping malls, shopping complexes, pubs, amusement parks, swimming pools, and places of worship will remain closed. Functions, political meetings and programmes will also be prohibited.

Traders are happy with the government’s decision to permit all the shops and commercial establishments to operate till 5 pm. Prakash Mandoth, president of, Federation of Karnataka Traders Association, said, “Besides, helping boost economic activities, the move will bring more revenue to the government through taxes.”

The June 11 order stated that restrictions will be eased from 6 am to 2 pm, whereas, sale of essential commodities and delivery through e-commerce companies will continue.