Karnataka govt announces two weeks complete lockdown starting from May 10 to 24

New Delhi: To curb the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka government on Friday imposed a complete lockdown for two weeks in the state from 6 am on May 10 to 6 am on May 24. Informing about the move, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said eateries, meat shops and vegetable shops in the state can operate from 6 am to 10 am during the lockdown.

“As COVID-19 cases are surging in the state, corona curfew was not successful. So, a complete lockdown will be imposed from 6 am on May 10 to 6 am on May 24. All hotels, pubs and bars will remain closed. Eateries, meat shops and vegetable shops can operate from 6-10 am,” the Chief Minister said.

Yediyurappa said it is a temporary decision of lockdown and requested migrant labourers to not leave the state.

It's a temporary decision of lockdown, I request migrant labourers to not leave: Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa#COVID19

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2021

However, he added, “not even a single person will be allowed after 10 am in the lockdown, I have suggested police officers to take stringent action. We have decided this after looking at the death toll and increasing number of cases.”

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka is among the 10 states that have a high caseload of COVID-19. It is also among the states where the trend of new cases is going upwards.

Earlier today, the Karnataka government fixed the prices for High-Resolution CT scan, and CT scan, Digital X-Ray, and X-Ray done at private establishments.

Not even a single person will be allowed after 10 am in the lockdown, I have suggested police officers to take stringent action. We have decided this after looking at the death toll and increasing number of cases: Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2021

“Since CT- Scan or X-Ray is becoming increasingly necessary to detect COVID-19 infection, Government has decided to cap the price of CT-Scan and Digital X-Ray in private hospitals and labs at Rs 1,500 and Rs 250 respectively,” Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar had told media.

The state government also made a negative report mandatory (not older than 72 hours) for people with symptoms coming from Kerala, Maharastra, Punjab and Chandigarh via airways.

Karnataka reported 48,781 new COVID-19 cases, 592 deaths and 28,623 discharges on Friday. There are 5,36,641 active cases in the state currently, while the total case tally has reached 18,38,885.