With positivity charge as standards, Karnataka eases Covid curbs in 16 districts

Karnataka has used the district positivity rate as a criterion for lifting current lockdown restrictions in the state.

Prime Minister BS Yediyurappa, announcing the government’s decision on Saturday, said: “The easing will be based on the positivity rate in the districts as discussed with my cabinet colleagues on the advice of the Technical Advisory Committee.”

He said: “The current easing measures are a balance between livelihood and tough measures to contain Covid-19 in the state. 16 counties have a positivity rate of less than 5 percent and 13 counties have a positivity rate between 5-10 percent.

Lockdown relaxation details

Yediyurappa said the easing of lockdowns, which apply across the state, is as follows: A daily curfew was imposed from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Weekend curfew from 7pm on Friday evening to 5am on Monday.

Public transport – buses can run with up to 50 percent seat capacity. BMTC / Metro are allowed to operate in Bengaluru.

The status quo is to be maintained in the Mysuru district, which has a positivity rate of more than 10 percent.

The government plans to continue restrictions on cinemas, religious sites, and sports arenas such as spectator playgrounds and swimming pools in the state until further notice.

The following easings are being made in the districts of Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Mandya, Koppala, Chikkaballapur, Tumukur, Kolar, Bengaluru urban (including BBMP) Gadag, Raichur, Bagalakote, Kalaburagi, Haveri, Ramanagara, Yadagiri and Bidar which are less than 5 percent are positivity rate.

All shops can be open until 5 p.m. in the evening. Eating in hotels, clubs, restaurants (without spirits) without air conditioning is allowed in these districts with 50 percent occupancy until 5:00 p.m. The implementation of outdoor sports activities without spectators is permitted and fitness studios can be operated with 50 percent utilization (without AC system).

Government / private offices

All public authorities / private offices are allowed to work with a capacity of 50 percent. Lodges and resorts can only function with a capacity of 50 percent.

In 13 districts with a positivity between 5 and 10 percent, the lockdown measures are to be continued and easing according to the government decree of June 11th apply. The districts are: Hassan, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Chamrajngagar, Chikmagalur, Bangalore rural, Davanagere, Kodagu, Dharwad, Bellari, Chirtradurga and Vijayapura.

Lasika Mela

Earlier in the day, Dr. K Sudhakar, Minister of Health and Medical Education of Karnataka, said Lasika Mela will be launched on June 21st. “The promotion will include ages 18-44, over 45 and frontline fighters.”

“We have a supply of 14 lakh cans and our goal is to vaccinate 5-7 lakh people on Monday,” he added.

The state government has administered more than 1.8 billion doses to date, and the state accounts for more than 6.6 percent of the total doses administered in the country.