Karnataka gears up for 11-day COVID-19 night curfew, check guidelines here

The state government said that the curfew will be in place in other prominent towns and district headquarters.

Bengaluru: Karnataka has geared up to follow through with the 11-day 'corona curfew' which will come into effect in some districts of Karnataka, including the state capital, from Saturday (April 10) night. 

This curfew aims at containing the spread of coronavirus and only essential services, patients and passengers would be allowed to ply.

The state government had announced night curfew between 10 pm and 5 am every day from April 10 to 20 in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Tumakuru, Udupi-Manipal cities.

The curfew will be in place in other prominent towns and district headquarters, the government said.

The police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure compliance of the rules at night. In Bengaluru, Police Commissioner Kamal Pant told reporters that vehicles providing essential services, patients and their relatives will be allowed to travel at night.

Besides, home delivery, e-commerce and the transportation of essential goods such as vegetables and food commodities for sale in the morning will be allowed in the night.

"Passengers coming to and going from Bengaluru are also allowed to travel. They must carry with them travel documents," Police Commissioner Pant said, according to News agency PTI.

Companies that operate at night can continue to function, but their employees have to report to work before 10 pm.

"We will shut the city in the night," Pant said. When asked about issuing special passes for vehicular movement, the Commissioner said there is no question of issuing passes.

He warned that those violating the norms will be booked under the Epidemic Act.

The decision to impose night curfew was taken due to surging coronavirus cases in the state at an alarming proportion.

The state reported 7,955 fresh COVID-19 cases and 46 fatalities on Friday.

(With inputs from PTI)