Bengaluru: Karnataka will be under lockdown curbs for the next 14 days as the high daily COVID infection rate forced the state government to impose the strictest measures to check the virus spread.
The new restrictions will come into effect from Tuesday night. The state reported its biggest-ever spike of 34,804 new covid -19 cases on Monday,
"Strict measures to control COVID will be taken. From tomorrow night till next 14 days there will be a close down for the whole state," said Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa while speaking to the media after a three-hour-long cabinet meeting to review the situation in the state.
Shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to remain open only from 6 am to 10 am, informed CM.
"The Agriculture sector and manufacturing sector, except garments, construction sector and medical and essential sectors will continue to operate," he said adding that Deputy Commissioners of all districts and Tahsildars have been instructed to take strict measures.
On Covid vaccination, the state cabinet has decided to provide free inoculations to all between 18-45 years of age at government hospitals, as per the guidelines of the health department.
The Chief Minister has also clarified that there is no shortage of medical oxygen in the state for the time being as the Centre has increased the daily quota from 300 metric tonnes to 800 metric tonnes.