Karnataka gears up for night curfew from 10 to 20 April; essential services, emergency travel allowed

The 11-day ‘corona curfew’ will come into effect in some districts of Karnataka, including the state capital, from Saturday night to contain 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 10 to 20 April in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Tumakuru, Udupi-Manipal cities. This apart, 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,” Pant said. 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. 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 cases and 46 fatalities on Friday alone.