Karnataka govt imposes 14-day lockdown from April 27; public transport, shops shut

As Bengaluru's COVID cases explode, Yeddiyurappa govt on Monday, imposed a 14-day lockdown across state. As per state's guidelines, all industries except construction, manufacturing & agriculture sectors have been shut, with shops selling essential goods allowed to be open between 6-10 AM. Currently, Karnataka has 2,62,181 active cases, 10,62,594 recovered cases and 14,426.

Karnataka imposes 14-day lockdown; here are guidelines:

• COVID curfew in state from 27 April, 9 PM for next 14 days
• Shops selling essential goods allowed to be open b/w 6-10 am. After 10 am shops will close. 
• Only industries of construction, manufacturing & agriculture sectors allowed. 
• Public transport including RTC buses and Bangalore Metro services to remain shut
• Takeaway from restaurants and home delivery of alcohol has been allowed
• Goods can be transported from one state to anor

Bengaluru's COVID crisis 

Karnataka's capital -Bengaluru has overtaken Mumbai in terms of active cases with 1,80,542 active COVID-19 cases as compared to 75,740 in Mumbai. With 20,733 new patients on April 25, Bengaluru has become new epicenter for virus reporting 70 percent of cases in past two weeks. Karnataka's Technical visory Committee (TAC) h recommended imposing a 14-day lockdown among or stringent restrictions to break chain as COVID cases continued to surge in state. As Bengaluru recorded over 1.5 lakh active cases, TAC suggested state government increase number of beds across Karnataka to meet demand of patients. committee also urged Karnataka government to vaccinate all its citizens before October-November as third wave of COVID is expected to hit India in next 6 months.

As per TAC, second wave of COVID in Karnataka is likely to peak at end of May and beginning of June. Eminent cardiologist and director of Sri Jayeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, C N Manjunath said he h in November 2020 predicted arrival of second wave of COVID in March or April based on pattern of spre and resurgence in Europe. Opposition leer Siddaramaiah has claimed that PM Modi may find it difficult to resolve COVID-19 crisis with an "inefficient CM". state has alrey imposed a night and weekend curfew and a number of daytime restrictions from April 21 to May 4 to contain COVID-19 spre.