Leave or enter Bengaluru by tonight, says Karnataka CM ahead of 21-day lockdown
Bengaluru(TNM) : Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said those who want to leave Bengaluru or enter it should do so by Tuesday night, ahead of stricter restrictions being put in place from Wednesday morning.
The CM on Tuesday warned that stringent action would be taken against those who do not follow the law and come out onto the streets unnecessarily in violation of the steps enforced by the government to control the coronavirus spread in the state.
He called for low key Ugadi festival celebrations on March 25. “We will take action, we will take very severe action, if they don’t follow the law…if necessary we will not mind to book the cases also,” Yediyurappa told reporters in response to a question about people unnecessarily coming onto the roads.
This announcement was made before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown for the whole country.
However, neither bus or train services were available to the public due to the existing orders.
The Karnataka government earlier on Monday night announced lockdown till month end in the entire state, to control the spread of the virus.
Orders were issued on Monday prohibiting gathering of more than five people in public places, stopping public and private transport services, and closing of government offices.
Listing measures taken by the government that include the closing of state borders, postponement of board exams, Yediyurappa appealed to people to have low key Ugadi (New Year) on Wednesday, and asked people not to come out of their houses.
Stating that the government’s desire was that there should be “curfew like situation” with no one outside, the Chief Minister said people still come out of their houses, which they should not in the interest of their own health.
“We have given instructions that those coming inside Bengaluru and going outside, we have given permission to go or come by this night.
From tomorrow we will take stricter action, and everyone should cooperate,” he added.
Reminding that Karnataka is at the third spot with regard to number of COVID-19 cases, the chief minister said only with people’s cooperation, its spread can be controlled.
