COVID Third Wave Scare: Weekend Curfew in Karnataka Areas Bordering Maharashtra and Kerala

Karnataka has become the first state in the country to resort to lockdown measures once again due to COVID third wave scare

COVID Third Wave: The magnitude of destruction and the widespread death (despite the government’s underreporting) spread by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has been so huge that the possibility of a third wave has attentive state governments on their toes.

Karnataka has become the first state in the country to resort to lockdown measures once again as COVID infections in the bordering state of Maharashtra and Kerala show a consistent upward graph. The Chief Minister of the state Basavraj Bommai announced on Friday that the areas of Karnataka that share a border with Kerala and Maharashtra would be placed under a weekend curfew.

The Lockdown Against COVID Third Wave: Explained

With effect from 9 pm yesterday, eight districts in Karnataka have been placed under a weekend curfew. The districts that border Maharashtra are:

• Belagavi,
• Bidar,
• Vijayapura,
• Kalaburagi

While as the districts that border Kerala are:

• Dakshina Kannada,
• Kodagu,
• Mysuru, and
• Chamarajanagar

The lockdown measures have been put in place in order to stop the rising COVID infections in Kerala and Maharashtra from crossing the border into Karnataka.

These orders were issued by Tushar Girinath, member secretary of the executive committee of the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority.

Along with these weekend curfew measures in 8 districts, all districts of the state, including Bengaluru, have been put under a night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am.

Marriages and Family Functions in Districts Bordering Kerala and Maharashtra

Permission has been granted for marriages in the districts that have been placed under weekend curfew. However, the number of people allowed on the guest list has been put at 100, along with strict observation of all COVID guidelines and SOPs.

At the same time, a maximum of 20 people can attend funerals and cremations.

All types of Social, Political, Sports, Cultural, and Religious functions and gatherings remain prohibited.

Shops Amidst the Lockdown

Shops and street vendors can only be open from 5 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. These include organizations that handle food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, dairy stalls, and animal feed. The public distribution system stores can only be open from 5 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. All items will be encouraged to be home delivered throughout the day, and delivery personnel will be allowed to move from one location to another.

Movement of Individuals

According to the order, except for basic and emergency activities, the movement of people will be strictly prohibited from 9 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday.

However, all central and state government offices, their autonomous agencies, and companies will be exempted. Along with these, exemptions will be given to agencies that are responsible for handling Covid19 emergencies, basic services, and containment and management duties; handling basic and emergency services and requiring 7 days a week, every day Industries, companies, organizations that operate 24 hours a day; telecommunications and Internet service providers.

Patients, assistants, other individuals with urgent needs, and qualified individuals intending to be vaccinated will be allowed to move with minimal proof.

“However, employees should be encouraged to work from home as much as possible,” the order said. It added that only necessary employees/employees of IT and ITeS companies/organizations could work in the office, while others should also be able to work from home. At the same time, train and air travel are allowed, and public transportation, private cars, and taxis are allowed to enter and exit airports, railway stations, and bus terminals, stations, and post offices to facilitate the flow of passengers through the air, rail, and roads. The order mentioned that such people need to produce valid proof of travel or tickets and strictly adhere to all COVID-related guidelines and SOPs.