Karnataka opens malls, temples, public transport

Urging the people of the state to cooperate in following the COVID safety protocol, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Saturday announced further relaxation of the existing COVID restrictions based on expert recommendations. In a major relief to the temple-goers, the state government decided to allow religious places to be opened for public only for darshan and shopping malls would also be allowed to function.

However, educational institutions, theatres, cinema halls and pubs will remain closed.
After a meeting with experts, bureaucrats and ministers to review the COVID situation in the state here, Yediyurappa said the relaxations would be effective from July 5 to July 19, while the night curfew would be from 9 pm to 5 am on weekdays. Will continue till The weekend curfew has been completely lifted.

He said sports complexes and stadiums can be opened only for training purposes, while social, political, entertainment, educational, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings and large gatherings have been banned.

The government has also decided to increase the number of guests for weddings and family gatherings from the current limit of 40 guests with no more than 100 people allowed in attendance and 20 people gathering for cremations.
Responding to a question about the reopening of schools, pubs and cinema halls, Yediyurappa said, “We will hold a separate meeting to discuss the issue.”