COVID-19 lockdown: State govt allows conditional economic activity in 'green zones'

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to conditionally allow economic activities to restart in green zones.

The districts like Chamarajanagar, Koppal, Chikmagalur, Raichur, Chitradurga, Ramanagara, Hassan, Shivamogga, Haveri, Yadgir, Kolar, Davanagere, Udupi and Kodagu which has been declared as green zone will now see shops and industrial activities starting operations, according to an order issued by Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar on Tuesday.

However, in the districts like Bengaluru Urban, Belagavi, Mysuru, Vijaypura, Bagalkot, Kalburgi, Bidar and Dakshina Kannada the existing Karnataka consolidated revised guidelines and addendums will continue to be in force without any change.

Industries operating in rural areas of these green zones, i.e., outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities (except in Ramanagara district)have been allowed to start. Also, manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EoUs), industrial estates, and industrial townships will be allowed to operate and make arrangements for stay of workers within their premises as far as possible and/or adjacent buildings and for implementation of the Standard operating protocol (SOP) of the Karnataka revised consolidated guidelines.

However, the transportation of workers to the workplace shall be arranged by the employers in dedicated transport by ensuring social distancing.

All shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/UT, including shops in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single-brand malls, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, with 50% strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory. All shops, including neighborhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/UT, except shops in market complexes and multi-brand and single-brand malls, with 50% strength of workers with wearing of masks and social distancing being mandatory.

In the districts of Bellary, Mandya, Bengaluru Rural, Gadag, Tumkuru,
Chickkaballapur, Uttar Kannada, Dharwad the decision regarding opening of shops and industries in taluks where there are no active COVID-19 cases will be taken by concerned District In-charge Minister.