Covid restrictions relaxed in Bengaluru and 18 other districts in Karnataka from June 14

Bengaluru: On Thursday, the Karnataka government declared a partial relaxation of strict measures enforced across the state in Bengaluru and other districts to or even the spread of Covid-19.

As the positivity rate was less than 5 per cent in nine districts of the state, chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced that the relaxation will be on a trial basis from June 14 at 6 am to June 21 at 6 am.

He said, “Once we assess the position after June 21, we will take further steps towards easing the lockdown or maintain the status quo.”

However, stringent measures will be continued in the other 11 districts where the positivity rate is above 5 per cent.

The relaxed measures will not be devoid of night curfew, Covid curfew or weekend curfew.

Yediyurappa said that the entire state will have a night curfew from 7 pm and 5 am every day between Monday and Friday.

He said, “From Friday 7 pm to Sunday 5 am, there will be lockdown for the weekend across the state.”

This means that the existing norms including essential shops to be open only from 6 am to 10 am during Saturday and Sunday and no movement of people will be permitted without an emergency and shut down of none essential industries will continue for the weekend.

However, on weekdays, Bengaluru and the other 18 districts can step out of their homes for work and other purposes and travel between 5 am and 7 pm.

Also, the government relaxed the timing for essential shops to open between 5 am and 2 pm and also permitted all street vendors to hawk during the same time.

Parks and jogging tracks will also be opened between 5 am and 10 am during weekdays. This comes as a relief to senior citizens and others.

The CM also announced that cabs and autorickshaws will be permitted to run between 5 am and 7 pm in the 19 districts. But, there will be no BMTC, KSRTC or Metro rail services.

All industries have been permitted to operate with 50 per cent strength. However, garment factories have been permitted to operate with 30 per cent strength due to their labour-intensive nature. Industries will have to maintain the strict enforcement of Covid safety norms.

What is relaxed in Bengaluru and 18 other districts

• Relaxation from 6 am June 14 to June 21 6 am.
• All industries to be allowed to operate with 50 per cent strength.
• Garment industries to be allowed with only 30 per cent strength.
• All essential shops to be open till 2 pm.
• All parks to be open between 5 am and 10 am.
• Street vendors can hawk between 5 am and 10 am.
• Auto and cans can only with 2 passengers only.
• All infrastructure works to restart and all shops including cement and steel to be allowed to open.
• Night/Covid curfew: 7 pm to 5 am (Monday to Friday)
• Weekend curfew: 7 pm (Friday) to 5 am (Monday)
• The rest of the Covid norms to continue according to the previous directions from the government