In lieu of continuous surge in number of coronavirus cases in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, the administration has decided to impose a complete lockdown in the metro city for a period of 31 hours.
The announcement comes a day after Karnataka ‘scapital Bengaluru on Friday witnessed 994 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the city’s biggest single-day spike so far.
The lockdown, which will begin from today evening, will be lifted on Monday morning.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Anil Kumar said, “Complete lockdown to be imposed from 8pm today till 5am on Monday in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, as per instructions by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in view of Covid-19”.
He also added that the sale of essential items will be allowed during this lockdown, however, warned of strict action against those who are found roaming outside without any important purpose.
“Sale of essential items will be allowed during the lockdown, including meat shops. Police action will be taken against people found roaming outside unnecessarily,” he added.
So far, BBMP along with officials from health and police department have fined 33,540 people for not wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in the city. A total penalty of 67.04 lakh has been collected for flouting these norms.
Meanwhile, the state COVID Task Force has also decided to set up booth-level task force committees across the state, including 8,800 in Bengaluru for monitoring and surveillance.
