Karnataka State gears up for night curfew, essential services spared

Bengaluru: The 11-day 'corona curfew' will come into effect in some districts, including the State capital, from Saturday night to contain the spread of coronavirus and only essential services, patients and passengers would be allowed to ply.

The State government had announced night curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. every day from April 10 to 20 in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Tumakuru, Udupi-Manipal cities.

This apart, the curfew will be in place in other prominent towns and district headquarters, the government said.

The police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure compliance of the rules at night.

In Bengaluru, Police Commissioner Kamal Pant told reporters that vehicles providing essential services, patients and their relatives would be allowed to travel at night.

Besides, home delivery, e-commerce and the transportation of essential goods such as vegetables and food commodities for sale in the morning would be allowed in the night.

"Passengers coming to and going from Bengaluru are also allowed to travel. They must carry with them travel documents," Pant said.

Companies that operate at night can continue to function, but their employees have to report to work before 10 p.m.

"We will shut the city in the night," Pant said.

Asked about issuing special passes for vehicular movement, the commissioner said there was no question of issuing passes. He warned that those violating the norms would be booked under the Epidemic Act.

The decision to impose night curfew was taken due to surging coronavirus cases in the State at an alarming proportion.

The State reported 7,955 fresh Covid cases and 46 fatalities on Friday alone. PTI