Karnataka eases more lockdown curbs in ‘green’ districts

Bengaluru, April 28 (IANS) Karnataka lifted more restrictions from the extended lockdown in 14 ‘green’ districts, which are free from the coronavirus spread, to mitigate hardships of the people, a top official said on Tuesday.

“In accordance with the April 14 guidelines of the Central government on relaxing the lockdown restrictions to mitigate public hardship, more activities are allowed in 14 of the 30 districts across the state, which are green spots,” said Chief Secretary T.M. Vijay Bhaskar in an order.

The 14 ‘green’ districts are Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Chikmagaluru, Davanagere, Hassan, Haveri, Kodagu, Kolar, Koppal, Ramanagara, Raichur, Shivamogga, Udupi and Yadgir across the southern state.

Industries operating in rural areas and outside the civic limits of the districts except in Ramanagara district can also resume operations.

“Similarly, manufacturing and industrial establishments with access control

in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EoUs), industrial estates and industrial townships can reopen,” said the order.

The establishments, however, have to arrange for stay of workers in their premises or adjacent buildings and implement the standard operating protocol as per the guidelines.

Employers have to also arrange transport for their employees to the work place in special buses and ensure they observe social distancing.

All shops, including those in residential and market complexes, except in multi-brand and single brand malls, can reopen even outside civic limits, with 50 per cent of their workers wearing masks and observing social distancing.

In Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Chickkaballapur, Dharwad, Gadag, Mandya, Tumakuru and Uttar Kannada districts, where there no Covid-19 cases and are ‘orange’ spots, district in-charge ministers will decide on the reopening of shops and industries.

Partial relaxation of the lockdown, which began on April 23, will continue in 8 districts of Bagalkot, Belagavi, Bengaluru Urban, Bidar, Dakshina Kannda, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Vijayapura, excluding hotspots and containment zones.

The partial exit led to the opening of hotels for parcel service, trading at the agriculture marketing committee (APMC) yards, online delivery of essential goods, essential services like courier, production of cement, steel, tiles and bricks and roadside eateries (dhabas).

–IANS

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