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The Karnataka government has announced a 14-day lockdown with effect from 10 pm on Tuesday night.
After a three-hour Cabinet meeting on Monday, the Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced the lockdown to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“During the lockdown, public transport will remain shut,” said Yediyurappa and announced that there would not be restriction on inter-state movement of goods. However, manufacturing, construction, agriculture - horticulture sectors, medical and other essential services like banks will run as usual. Shops selling essentials will be allowed to stay open from 6 am to 10 am.
Vaccination
The Chief Minister said, “The Covid vaccine will be administered free to those between 18 and 44 starting May 1 at all government vaccination centres. Central government vaccination drive for citizens above 45 years of age will continue.”
He said “There will be no shortage of oxygen in the State. The Central government has agreed to increase oxygen supply from 300 tonnes to 800 tonnes.”
Regarding complaints in generation of BU code by testing labs, the BBMP commissioner Gaurav Gupta said “In this regard, KPME registration of Medall Laboratory, Aarthi Scans & Labs, RV Metropolis laboratory and BGS Global Medical College lab has been suspended with immediate effect and the issue has been referred to ICMR to revoke the approval for Covid testing in these labs. These labs have been given show cause notice and asked to provide an explanation within 48 hours.”
Industry
Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) welcomed the state government’s lockdown move. KB Arasappa, president, KASSIA, said “The micro and small scale industries related to manufacturing, construction, medical and farm sector welcome the exemption from the lockdown.”
He also appealed to the state government to permit supply of oxygen to the industrial sector to the extent possible and allow for BMTC buses to ply at least to and from industrial hubs as a large percentage of factory workers rely on public transport.
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