Karnataka announces Covid-19 lockdown relaxation after April 20, reimposes some later ‘due to public demand’

The CM added that 33 per cent of the workforce in government departments, IT/BT companies, and other business activities will be allowed to come to work only in contract buses that would be hired exclusively for them.

Read | Karnataka govt tells pvt sector not to layoff employees

“However, other IT/BT employees should be encouraged to work from home as a maximum of one-third of them only will be allowed to attend offices,” Yediyurappa added.

The CM also clarified that prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC will be in force till May 3.

While movement within a district is allowed, inter-district movement will continue to stay banned. “Ramanagar, Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru rural district will be considered as one district only for movement of industrial workers,” the CM said while announcing another exception.

Meanwhile, pillion riders on two-wheelers will not be allowed until further orders.

Govt reimposes ban on two-wheelers, IT/BT employees asked to work from home ‘on public demand’

Later on Saturday evening, the government revoked some of the relaxations announced in lockdown measures reimposing ban of two-wheelers plying on roads, also asking all IT/BT employees except those in essential services to continue working from home.

“These decisions have been taken due to public demand,” the order mentioned.

Karnataka government revokes decision to allow relaxation (after April 20) in #lockdown announced earlier today.

The latest order says:
??Two-wheelers not allowed on roads

??IT/BT employees MUST work from home.

Only essential services will be permitted. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/myZfW2NPT6

— Ralph Alex Arakal (@ralpharakal) April 18, 2020

The CM also stated that malls, showrooms, and other shops will not be allowed to function.

In a bid to prevent contain the spread of Covid-19 in public places, the government has banned spitting on the road. Government officials added that the police will be directed to take stringent action against violators of this rule.

Construction activities will be allowed but workers will have to stay at the construction sites.

Reaching out to senior citizens, the CM appealed, “Senior Citizens and vulnerable persons to the disease should remain indoors for the next three months.”

Meanwhile, Karnataka recorded 25 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, as the total number of cases in the state rose to 384. With the death of a 42-year-old man in Vijayapura, the death toll due to the pandemic increased to 14.