Karnataka CM issues warning as restrictions ease, ‘Don't be under the illusion that COVID is gone’
"From today we have relaxed almost everything other than in a few districts, but don't be under the illusion that the Covid has gone, we will have to wear masks, maintain distance and sanitize our hands regularly," Yediyurappa said.
FollowAs the state has reopened many economical activities with Covid-19 cases falling with each passing day, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday told people not to be under the "illusion" that Covid-19 pandemic is gone and asked them to be vigilant and follow all the precautionary preventive measures.
"From today we have relaxed almost everything other than in a few districts, but don't be under the illusion that the Covid has gone, we will have to wear masks, maintain distance and sanitize our hands regularly," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking at a cooperative department event in the state, he requested people to be vigilant until we get rid of Covid completely. Karnataka has further relaxed the Covid-19 restrictions in 17 districts where the positivity rate is below 5 percent, including Bengaluru, starting from Monday, allowing all shops to function from 6 am to 5 pm and public transport to resume operations with 50% capacity.
Among other things, hotels, clubs and restaurants have also opened for service until 5 pm with 50 percent seating, but liquor will not be permitted.
Earlier in the day, speaking at another event, Yediyurappa said as the Covid numbers have come down than expected, we decided to relax lockdown restrictions, but the fear of corona still looms large.
He appealed to people to cooperate by following preventive measures and get vaccinated. The 17 districts where most of the restrictions have been relaxed are Bengaluru Urban, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Mandya, Koppal, Chikkaballapur, Tumakur, Kolar, Gadag, Dharwad, Raichur, Bagalkot, Kalaburagi, Haveri, Ramanagar, Yadagir and Bidar.
In the rest of the districts that have a positivity rate of more than 5%, the existing relaxations which were in place from June 11 will apply, allowing essential shops to be open from 6 am to 2 pm, and movement of people till 7 pm. Mysuru, where the positivity rate is high, will remain under a strict lockdown until July 5.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government included Udupi, Bengaluru Rural, Shivamogga, Ballari, Chitradurga and Bijapur districts to Category I of Covid guidelines; paving way for reopening of all shops (except for malls), hotels, restaurants, eateries, bars and clubs between 6 am and 5 pm in these districts.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
