Bengaluru braces for week-long lockdown, Deve Gowda wants state shut

Grocery shops, meat shops, and other essential but non-emergency establishments would be open in Bengaluru only between 5 am and 12 noon. However, all other commercial private establishments would be shut for a week.

Even as urban and rural Bengaluru readied itself for a week-long lockdown starting Tuesday 8pm, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda demanded that the Karnataka government announce a statewide lockdown as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to spiral. The former PM also appealed to the people to cooperate with the government and follow the safety protocols.

Migrants with their belongings travel in a tempo as they leave the city after authorities announced one week lockdown due to surge in Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru on Monday. (PTI Photo)

Grocery shops, meat shops, and other essential but non-emergency establishments would be open only between 5 am and 12 noon. However, all other commercial private establishments would be shut for a week.

On Monday Karnataka registered 2,738 new cases, taking the tally to 41,581, including 757 deaths and 16,248 discharges.

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Meanwhile, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa made it clear that the lockdown would not be extended, after the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry criticised the decision.