Karnataka Lockdown: State govt issues 'Unlock 3' guidelines, here is what's not permitted outside containment zones

A day after Centre's order regarding phase 3 of unlock, the Karnataka government on Thursday issued guidelines regarding restriction on various activities outside the containment zones.

The state government has allowed more activities outside containment zones during Unlock 3. Strict lockdown in containment zones will continue to be enforced till August 31. 

Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31. However, online/distance learning will continue.

Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to function from August 5 for which, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and state government's health ministry. 

According to the guidelines, all activities, except a few that have been specified, are permitted outside containment zones. 

Activities not permitted during Unlock 3 period in Karnataka:

1. Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till 31st August 2020. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.

2. Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. 

3. International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

4. Metro Rail.

5. Social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions and other large congregations.

Regarding Independence Day, functions at state, districts, sub-divisions, taluks, municipal and panchayat levels and 'At Home' functions, wherever held, will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols such as wearing of masks.

Lockdown in Karnataka Containment Zones: Lockdown will continue to remain in force in the Containment Zones till August 31, 2020.

1. Containment Zones will be demarcated by the BBMP/District authorities after taking into consideration the guidelines of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Those Containment Zones will be notified on the websites by the respective Deputy Commissioners and by the Concerned Departments and information will be shared with MoHFW.

2. In the Containment Zones, only essential activities shall be allowed. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services. In the Containment Zones, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance, and other clinical interventions, as required. Guidelines of MoHFW and Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnatak4 shall be effectively implemented for the above purpose.

3. Activities in the Containment Zones shall be monitored strictly by the BBMP/District authorities, and the guidelines related to containment measures in these zones shall be strictly implemented.

BBMP/Districts may also identify Buffer Zones outside the Containment Zones, where new cases are more likely to occur. Within the buffer zones, restrictions, as considered necessary, may be put in place by the BBMP/District authorities.

4. BBMP/Districts based on their assessment of the Situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the Containment Zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.

5. There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approvals-permit will be required for such movement. However, people coming to Karnataka State from other State shall strictly adhere to the prevailing Guidelines/SOPs issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Revenue Department (DM).

6. Movement of persons with SOPs: Movement by passenger trains and Shramik special trains; domestic passenger air travel; the movement of Indian Nationals stranded outside the country and of specified persons to travel abroad; evacuation of foreign nationals; and sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers will continue to be regulated as per SOPs issued by Ministry of Home Affairs and other concerned Ministries.

7. Protection of vulnerable persons: Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of l0 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes. 

Karnataka reported 83 deaths and 6,128 new cases in the state on Thursday. With this, the total number of cases in the state stood at 1,18,632, the state health ministry said. Currently, there are 69,700 active cases, while a total of 2,230 people have lost their lives due to the pandemic till now.