K'taka allows movement of stranded, industrial activities

Bengaluru: Migrant workers, students, tourists and others stranded in Karnataka due to COVID-19 lockdown will be able to return home with the state government on Thursday giving the nod for a one-time movement while 30 new cases were reported, taking the tally to 565.

It also resolved to permit industrial activities across the state barring coronavirus containment zones from May 4, when the second phase of national lockdown is expected to end.

By May 4, fresh directives were likely to come from the Centre, following which a decision will be taken on more economic activities like opening of salons, liquor shops, malls and cinema halls among others, the government said.

Announcing the Cabinet decision to allow inter-state and inter-district movement of people, which came a day after the Centre issued guidelines for the process, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said this will be a one-time measure and the government would arrange buses for those in need but they should bear the expenses.

He also said people willing to return to the state would have to undergo tests for COVID-19.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said the government has decided to allow industrial activities across the state barring coronavirus containment zones from May 4.

He however said, government would wait and take a call on easing curbs for industrial activities in the state capital.