Karnataka Bengaluru Live Updates: 14-day lockdown across state from Tuesday

Karnataka Bengaluru Coronavirus News Live Updates: After the Karnataka cabinet meeting on Monday, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced lockdown across the state from April 27 at 9 pm till May 9. According to Yediyurappa, the essentials shop will remain open from 6 am to 10 am every day. No public transport will be available.

The separate guidelines will be issued by the government later in the day. Since the Covid cases are increasing in Karnataka and in the same capacity in the city Bengaluru, few members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) which held a meeting on April 24 in had advised the government for a two-week-long down. Following their recommendation, the government has decided on the two weeks lockdown.

Meanwhile, Karnataka reported another biggest single day spike of 34,804 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total caseload to 13.39 lakh, while 143 related fatalities pushed the toll to 14,426, the Health department said on Sunday. Bengaluru Urban alone accounted for 20,733 cases. The day also saw 6,982 patients getting discharged after recovery.

On a day when the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare linked 143 more deaths in the last few days to the pandemic, top leaders from the ruling BJP hinted that the weekend curfew might be extended. They, however, indicated that a complete lockdown is unlikely to be imposed at the moment.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda said, “Weekend curfews will continue if necessary. CM Yediyurappa will discuss the matter with his cabinet colleagues on Monday to take a decision.”

Also the Lok Sabha MP representing Bangalore North, Gowda met Health Minister K Sudhakar, Chief Secretary P Ravikumar, MLC Y A Narayanaswamy, and Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Welfare) Jawaid Akhtar in Vidhana Soudha on Sunday. “We are pained to see the high number of deaths in the last few days. While chances are that the intensity of the pandemic will reduce, the next 10 days are crucial for us,” he said.