Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Sunday announced the shutdown of all commercial activities other than certain essential services in the nine districts of the state including the capital city, where COVID-19 cases have been reported.
"After taking stock of the coronavirus situation in the state and in neighboring states, the Chief Minister has announced shutdown from tomorrow till March 31 in Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Chikkaballapura, Kodagu, Belagavi- the nine districts where COVID-19 cases have been reported," Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said other than essential services like medical, grocery and agriculture, all other commercial activities will be under "shutdown".
"In these nine districts in factories where there are large number of workers, half work force should be utilised on alternate day basis, 50 per cent of the labour should be used on a day," he said, adding that inter-district transport services from these nine districts has been cancelled till March 31.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa held a meeting with top ministers and officials of his government regarding COVID-19 in the state and measures that need to be taken.
Bommai said, 'Janta Curfew' will end by 9 pm, but section 144 (prohibitory orders) will be in force after that till 12 am to see to that people don't gather after curfew time ends."
Streets in Bengaluru and other parts of the state wore a deserted look as the 'Janta curfew' proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help check the spread of coronavirus received a tremendous response across Karnataka.
The Home Minister also said that the public transport will continue to remain shut tomorrow as well across the state, and all AC bus services will not operate till March 31.
Asked whether in the wake of shutdown in Bengaluru will the ongoing budget session Karnataka legislature be canceled, he said the session will continue as per schedule, unless and until there is further notification, which will be duly communicated.
Responding to a question, Bommai said, government offices will continue to function as usual to provide essential services, while at private and IT companies other than critical services most of the workforce is already working from home.
After holding another such meeting earlier in the day, Yediyurappa had announced the decision to shut state borders, and also to postpone all exams including LC (class 10- board), aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.
However, one paper of PUC (class 12) scheduled for Monday, will be held as per schedule, officials clarified.
Appealing to people in cities not to travel to villages for the next 15 days to control the outbreak in rural areas, Yediyurappa has said a decision has also been taken to screen all domestic passengers here on at airports.
