Total lockdown on Sunday turns Karnataka into ghost State

Bengaluru: A total lockdown on Sunday turned Karnataka into a ghost state, with an eerie silence and uneasy calm prevailing across its cities and towns, even as hundreds of policemen kept a close vigil.

"A total lockdown is in force across the state since Saturday evening (7pm) to Monday morning (7am). A ban under Section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed to prevent movement of people and vehicles," a police official told IANS here. As decided by the state government to contain the coronavirus spread, the Sunday lockdown comes after a partial relaxation of restrictions on weekdays since May 19 to revive economic activity and restore near-normalcy. "We have seized about 100 vehicles across the city (Bengaluru) since morning when some people, mostly youths, ventured out on two-wheelers to roam around in residential areas in violation of the lockdown norm," the official said. The police also sealed inter-state borders to prevent movement of people and vehicles from neighbouring states, as bus services and transportation of goods remain suspended till Monday morning.

"Only ambulances and vehicles on essential duty are allowed to ply during the curfew period. Shops selling medicines, groceries, vegetables, fruits and poultry and meat products have been allowed to open but ensure customers maintain physical distancing and stand in queues.

"Barring retail outlets for essential supplies like milk, vegetables, fruits, and medicines, everything has been shut down since 7pm on Saturday to 7am on Monday," the official added.