Bengaluru, May 18: Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa today announced lockdown relaxations from tomorrow (May 19) across the state. As per new guidelines public transport services will start operations outside COVID-19 containment zones in the state.
“To facilitate easy movements of citizens, services of the BMTC, KSRTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC will start from Tuesday morning, except in containment zones. Even private buses can ply,” Yediyurappa said, after discussing the Centre's Lockdown 4.0 guidelines with his Cabinet colleagues and officials.
“The only condition is that only 30 people should travel in one bus so as to ensure social distancing,” the CM said.
He also clarified that bus fares will not be hiked. “I know there will be losses incurred. The government will bear the losses,” he said.
Auto rickshaws, taxis and maxi cabs (six-passenger vehicles) will also be allowed to operate. “Auto rickshaws and taxis will have a driver and two passengers. Maxi cabs will have a driver and three passengers,” Yediyurappa said.
All parks in the state will be open 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm.
Starting Tuesday, all shops except malls and theatres can open. “This includes salons,” the CM said.
All relaxation will cease to exist every Sunday, the CM said. “Every Sunday will be a complete lockdown. There’ll be no shops and the movement of people. It’ll be a complete rest day,” he said.
The existing curfew from 7 pm to 7 am will continue on all days, which means public transport services will not be allowed during this time.
Trains will run within the state, but interstate trains will not be allowed till May 31, the CM said.
It is mandatory for citizens to wear masks in public. “Not wearing a mask will be penalised,” Yediyurappa said.
On the classification of zones, Yediyurappa said the government's main focus was containment zones. “We're particular about containment zones. In the Karwar district, for example, Bhatkal will be a containment zone and no other taluk will have restrictions,” he said.
However, the government will review the relaxation based on how things pan out. “States have been given the freedom, so we can withdraw or modify as necessary,” he said.
Comments
The biggest weapon of RSS is spreading lies and hatred. Who can stop that N Bomb?
Oh this big mouth minister from Left, I being a person from Kerala really know truth. CPIM uses their offices and politcians house to store arms. CM Vijayan and this fellow wanted to have special darshan tickets in Sabarimala and when it was shot down.... all this stories
Raid all mosques, churches and temples and check for arms
Bamboo Sticks/ Lathis are not Weapons. Donot get Bogged down. They cannot use weapons to hurt. They just open their mouth and shout
Time for Hindus to take back Kerala and Kashmir.
Chief Minister should order police raids on these arm stores and recover the arms, and install CCTV cameras to monitor the activities round the clock. CM needs to substantiate his allegations with proof. I fully agree with his view that no religious ceremony should take place during any official function, it has no place in secular democracy. Our constitution gives every citizen right to practice religion of his or her choice freely but not at state level. State has no religion.
Here is a Minister for Temples Administration. He defines a temple as a centre for traditions and beliefs. Sorry Comrade , a temple is a place for worship of God. If it is only a place of tradition and faith, there is the danger of it being appropriated by the communist Party, which has both tradition and faith. No temple in Kerala will allow storing of weapons within, may be in its offices or quarters of staff. Is it a plan for the commies to violate the sanctity of the temples?
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