Karnataka govt extends existing lockdown measures by 2 days

Bengaluru, May 17 () The Karnataka government onSunday extended the existing COVID-19 lockdown measures in thestate by two days. Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar has ordered alldepartments of the state government, Deputy Commissioners ofdistricts, Police Superintendents and Department heads tocontinue with the existing guidelines issued on May 2 for thecontrol of COVID-19. The existing guidelines will continue until further ordersor till May 19 midnight, which ever is first, the order said.

Expressing confidence about the Centre announcingrelaxation to "many things" after May 17, once lockdown 3.0comes to an end, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday hadsaid the state government would wait for the centre'sguidelines before announcing measures.

The nationwide lockdown was initially imposed from March25 to April 14, then extended to May 3 and again to May 17 toprevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Karnataka government had hinted about permittingopening of gyms, fitness centres and golf courses, alsocertain hotels for local tourism purposes after May 17,subject to guidelines from the Centre.

During the recent videoconferencing Prime MinisterNarendra Modi had with Chief Ministers of various states,Yediyurappa had proposed doing away with district wise colourcoding and instead advocated strict cordoning of containmentzones to control the spread of pandemic.

He had pitched for resuming all economic activities instand-alone establishments, while continuing restrictions onmalls, cinema halls, dining facilities and establishments withcentrally controlled air-conditioning.

The CM had suggested that 50 to 100 meters around knownclusters may be declared as containment zones and commercialactivities, including public transport, to be allowed in non-containment zones. KSU APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH