Powered by
Sponsored by

Karnataka: Public transport services, including Bengaluru Metro, resume

The new guidelines, popularly called "unlock 2", will be in force up to 5am on July 5

karnataka bus rep (File) Mysore Road Satellite Bus Stand in Bengaluru | PTI

Hotels have begun services, gyms have reopened and public transport buses and the Bengaluru Metro have resumed operations with riders on Monday as the Karnataka government's guidelines further relaxing COVID-19 curbs in 17 districts, including Bengaluru city, have come into effect.

The new guidelines, popularly called "unlock 2", have come into effect from 6am and will be in force up to 5am on July 5.

In the 17 districts, where the COVID-19 positivity rate is below 5 per cent, shops will be open from 6am to 5pm beginning Monday and public transport including buses and metro began operations with 50 per cent capacity.

Though bus operations has come as a relief to office goers and others who depend on them for commuting, them plying in lesser numbers and with 50 per cent capacity is causing chaos at bus stands in several places in Bengaluru, with higher number of people wanting to avail services.

Similar reports have been received from other places.

While the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporations (KSRTC) has said it is deploying 3,000 buses initially for local and inter-district long-route bus operations, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) had said it will ply 2,000 buses.

According to BMTC officials, till 8am, a total of 796 buses were being operated.

Hotels, clubs and restaurants without air conditioning opened for service until 5pm with 50 per cent seating, but liquor will not be permitted.

Also, gyms began functioning at half capacity and parks will be open from 5am to 6pm for walking and jogging.

Functioning of lodges and resorts with bookings up to 50 per cent, outdoor sports activities without spectators, outdoor film shooting are among the other things that are permitted from Monday.

However, there will be a curfew in place between 7pm and 5am on weekdays and during weekends, curfew will be in place from 7pm on Friday to 5am on Monday throughout the state.

Among those that continue to remain shut are swimming pools, places of worship, political events, educational institutions, shopping malls, pubs and amusement parks.

Steady increase has been seen in traffic movement in the city, with all government and private offices being permitted to function with 50 per cent of their staff strength and offices dealing with essential and emergency services are permitted to function as per their requirement.

These relaxations are applicable in Bengaluru Urban, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Mandya, Koppala, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Kolar, Gadag, Dharwad, Raichur, Bagalkot , Kalaburagi, Haveri, Ramanagara, Yadgir and Bidar.

In rest of the districts that have a positivity rate of more than 5 per cent, the existing relaxation, which was in place from June 11, will apply, allowing essential shops to be open from 6am to 2pm, and movement of people till 7pm.

Mysuru, where the positivity rate is high, will remain under a strict lockdown until July 5. 

TAGS

📣 The Week is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TheWeekmagazine) and stay updated with the latest headlines