The Karnataka State Government has decided to divide the Bengaluru Urban district into four zones to allow businesses to resume to help sustain the economy. Bengaluru Urban is categorized as a red-zone by the central government. The request for the same has been submitted for permission from the center.
On Friday, in the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs ordering the extension of the lockdown, the center categorized the Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and Mysuru as red zones that mean that the restrictions will not be eased down for another two weeks. After a cabinet meeting, revenue minister R Ashok spoke to the media and said,
“It is unfair to classify the entire city with a population of more than one crore as a red zone while all other districts are allowed to ease lockdown outside containment zones. It’s not only about economic activities but about the distress to the people. We will seek clarification from the center before taking the step.”
The minister further said that the Bengaluru Rural district which is marked as the red zone hasn’t reported a single COVID-19 case. He believes that the district should have been marked as an orange zone which could help the government to resume work in major industries that are located there.
Later in the day, the government also announced transport facilities for stranded migrant workers, students, tourists, and pilgrims for a one-time, one-day movement between the districts. BH Anil Kumar, the Commissioner of BBMP said that out of the 198 wards in Bengaluru, 154 have not reported any cases of COVID-19. He said that the residents in those wards will be allowed to step out of their homes to shop for vegetables and daily essentials. However, the restrictions in the containment zones will remain stringent. In the containment zones, residents will be allowed to step out of their houses to shop for essentials only twice per week. He also informed that the state is checking for SARI and Influenza-like symptoms in people belonging to the containment zones.
Businesses to open from Monday
Apart from the containment zones, Businesses in the rest of the region will be allowed to open up with a limited workforce from Monday. The state government issued an order stating the same. The state also allowed other activities to open up in green and orange zones like buses, rickshaws, cabs, and salons.
In a highly anticipated move, the state gave permissions for standalone liquor shops to open up through an order issued by the Excise Commissioner. Only standalone retail shops are allowed to open between 9 am and 7 pm. Social distancing should be maintained. Both the customers and shop owners are required to wear a mask and the shop should be sanitized.
