Karnataka for phased relaxation in non-containment zones

The Karnataka government has allowed all activities to operate outside Covid containment zones with immediate effect, except some such as religious places, hospitality industry, shopping malls and others which will be opened in a phased manner, said a top official on Sunday.

"In areas outside containment zones, all activities will be permitted, except some, which will be allowed with stipulation of following standard operating procedures (SoPs) to be prescribed by the ministry of health and family welfare, in a phased manner," ordered Chief Secretary T. M. Vijay Bhaskar.

In Phase I, religious places of worship, hotels, restaurants, hospitality services and shopping malls will be allowed to operate from June 8.

In Phase II, the state government will consult with parents, institutions and other stakeholders to take a call on reopening of schools, colleges, educational institutions and coaching centres.

"Based on the feedback, a decision on reopening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July," said Bhaskar.

In Phase III, depending on the prevailing situation and after duly assessing, the state government will take a call on international air travel as permitted by the union Ministry of Home Affairs, Metro train services, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.

The chief secretary issued nine guidelines to be followed by everyone in the phased relaxation of lockdown norms.

As part of the third guideline, he said night curfew between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. will be strictly implemented.

"Movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. throughout the state, except for essential services," he said.

Meanwhile, Covid lockdown will continue to be in force in all containment zones till June 30.

"Containment zones will be demarcated by the district authorities after taking into consideration the guidelines of the department of health and family welfare, government of Karnataka," Bhaskar said.

Under the fifth guideline, the chief secretary said there will be no restriction on inter-state and intra state movement of people and goods.

"No separate permission, approval or e-permit will be required for such movements," Bhaskar said.

However, separate orders will be issued by the state health department regarding the inter-state movement of people to Karnataka based on public health assessment and prevalence of Covid in various states.

"Movement of passenger trains and Shramik special trains, domestic passenger air travel, movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country and of specific persons to travel abroad, evacuation of foreign national, and sign on and sign off of Indian seafarers will continue to be regulated as per SoPs issued," he said.

Similarly, as part of protecting vulnerable people, individuals aged above 65, children below 10, pregnant women and people with co-morbidities have been advised to stay at home, except for health or essential purposes.

Likewise, for timely provision of medical attention, Bhaskar advised all employers to get their employees to install Aarogya Setu app in compatible phones.

Bhaskar ordered all the district deputy commissioners and Bengaluru civic body commissioner to strictly enforce the guidelines.

"Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable," ordered Bhaskar.

The chief secretary has issued all these directives in the capacity of the chairman of the state executive committee, following the union Home Ministry deciding to reopen prohibited activities in a phased manner outside containment zones on Saturday.