One week lockdown in Bengaluru from July 14 as COVID-19 cases rise

The lockdown will be imposed from 8 pm on July 14 to 5 am on July 22

Bengaluru has been reporting a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases for the last two weeks Bengaluru has been reporting a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases for the last two weeks

The Karnataka government on Saturday announced complete lockdown in Bengaluru urban and rural districts for one week from July 14 to July 22 as the capital city witnessed a spike in novel coronavirus cases.

"As COVID-19 cases are increasing in the state day by day, based on the advice of experts a complete lockdown will be imposed in Bengaluru urban and Bengaluru rural for one week from 8 pm on July 14 to 5 am on July 22," Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said in a statement.

Essential services have been exempted from the curfew. Hospitals facilities, groceries, milk, vegetables, medicines and other daily use items will be available. The MBBS, post graduate examinations will be held as scheduled.

The decision to impose a total lockdown was taken after the eight ministers overseeing the COVID-19 response across the eight zones of the state capital, too, favoured such a move in the hope of slowing down the spread of the infection, which is overwhelming the healthcare facility in the city.  

While the detailed guidelines will be issued on Monday, many other districts with high incidence of COVID-19 might also join the two districts which will be under the week-long lockdown. 

Asking people to join hands in controlling COVID-19 by remaining at home during the lockdown, Yediyurappa said: "While going to purchase daily use items, maintain social distance, wear masks, and follow all the guidelines related to lockdown.” He also complemented the efforts of COVID-19 warriors like ASHA workers, doctors, medical staff, police, officials, media and others who are working to control the spread of virus.

Bengaluru has been reporting a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in the last fortnight. On Saturday, the state recorded 2,798 new cases including 1,533 in Bengaluru alone and 70 deaths. With this, the total number of cases in the state is 36,216 (20,883 active cases) while the total number of deaths stands at 613.

With inputs from Prathima Nandakumar in Bengaluru