Lockdown extended till June 14 in Karnataka, Rs 500 crore package announced

Amidst the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in rural areas of Karnataka, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa announced the extension of the lockdown for another week. The lockdown will remain in force till 6 am on June 14. He also announced a second relief package totaling Rs 500 crore for various groups including film and TV industry workers, fishing community, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, weavers and people working in places of worship.

This relief package is in addition to the Rs 1,111.82 crore financial package in the form of relief for those whose livelihood has been affected by the lockdown announced just a fortnight ago.

The COVID Technical Advisory Committee of Karnataka in its report had said that the ongoing lockdown restrictions can be relaxed only if the positivity rate falls below five per cent and the number of cases across the state is below 5,000.

After an informal meeting with ministers here, Yediyurappa told reporters that the ongoing lockdown should be extended for another week, as the situation is worst in villages due to COVID.

The state had earlier announced strict restrictions from May 24 to June 7. He said, although the infection has come under control, the outbreak of the disease is still continuing. Therefore, we have decided to extend the ban for a week, till the morning of June 14, following the recommendation of experts.

The Chief Minister said that restrictions can be relaxed only after the infection rate comes down below 5 percent.