Karnataka lockdown news: State government relaxes restrictions, check details here

The BS Yediyurappa-led Karnataka government has permitted district registrar and sub-registrar offices to function following Covid appropriate behaviour. The state is under lockdown as the number of active infection cases are still high in the state.

Earlier last week, Karnataka had extended the statewide lockdown till June 14. Announcing the extension, CM Yediyurappa said that while the rate of infection has dropped but the situation needs to be controlled further.

"We had earlier announced stringent restrictions from May 24 to June 7 to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Though the infections have reduced, the spread of the disease is still on. It has been decided to extend the restrictions by a week following the recommendation of experts till June 14 morning," Yediyurappa had said speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru.

Under the lockdown, essential stores are functional from 6 am to 10 am, and the movement of people has been restricted except for emergencies and vaccination purposes. The time period for essential services will be from 6 am to 10 am. BS Yediyurappa also announced that after 10 am all shops will close. Only construction, manufacturing & agriculture sectors will be allowed. Public transport will also remain shut.

Meanwhile, experts have now weighed in how the state can start planning for a phase-wise unlock as fresh COVID-19 cases are not falling at a uniform rate across Karnataka.

According to a report in The New Indian Express, experts have suggested the government implement an 'End of Circuit Breaker' model followed by Singapore.

Dr Vishal Rao, Dean- Centre for Academic Research, HCG Cancer Center & Member of the expert committee - COVID task force, GoK, said, "The COVID-19 expert committee should continue to monitor the 7-day test positivity rate and should recommend the lifting of curbs only when it falls below 5 percent. We must follow the Singapore model of unlocking in three phases."

Karnataka reported 12,209 new coronavirus cases, 320 deaths and 25,659 discharges in the last 24 hours, according to the state's department of health and family welfare on Sunday. With this, the cumulative caseload reached 26,95,523 including 2,54,505 active infections, 24,09,417 discharges and 31,580 deaths.