Karnataka Sunday lockdown rules and regulations

Karnataka lockdown: After hitting by a spike in Covid-19 cases, Karnataka announced complete lockdown on all Sundays starting from July 5. It will be a total of 33-hour lockdown starting from 8 p.m. on Saturday and ends at 5 a.m. on Monday. The Sunday lockdown will remain stable till August 2 unless the authorities decide to call it off earlier.

Only movement of essential goods and supplies will be allowed on Sundays. As per the order issued by the state government, "Only essential activities will be allowed, including operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on national and state highway or major district roads, loading and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after get off from buses, trains and airplanes."

Government concluded that Ola and Uber will not run any services during the lockdown period. For medical emergencies, people can contact 108 for any help. No passes will be required for the people who are using 108 services but those who use private vehicles for medical emergencies, must carry relevant documents for verification.

Grocery, medical stores and shops selling vegetables, dairy or meat products will be opened. Supermarkets will also remain operational but as there are severe restrictions on the movement of people, some stores may only allow home deliveries. Restaurants will not be allowed for dine-in, home deliveries and parcel service will be operational. Alcohol shops and Bars will not be opened on Sundays till August 2.

Marriages which are already fixed on Sundays will be allowed as per the guidelines. The number of guests attending the marriage should not exceed 50. Theatres, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment parks, auditoriums, assembly halls and such social gathering places remains prohibited through the week.

State government has also notified the closure of all government offices, boards and corporations except those which are operating and maintaining essential services on all Saturdays/ Sundays till the second week of August. This will be in addition to the existing holidays on 2nd and 4th Saturdays. The five-day work week for all Government offices will start from July 10.

Officials confirmed that the Sunday lockdown is going to be just as strict as the one in March. Bengaluru Police have issued repeated warnings against people flouting lockdown norms. Vehicles found violating curbs and out without solid reasons will be seized.

Karnataka reported a record spike of 1,839 new cases and 42 Covid-19 deaths on Saturday taking the death toll to 335. Bengaluru accounts for 1,172 of these cases which is 63.73%.