Bengaluru: In much relief to the people and business community, the State government has announced complete unlock 2.0 in 16 districts including Bengaluru Urban by allowing transport, shops, malls, and hotels to run the business with 50% of capacity. 

The state government has lifted the restriction to the 16 districts which have below 5% of Covid positivity rate. Without air conditions and having 50% capacity of customers, hotels, restaurants, clubs, lodges, resorts, outdoor shooting, BMTC, Metro, private bus operators, maxi cabs, gym allowed operating from morning 6 am to 5 pm. This order will effect from June 21 to July 5, the Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa said after the meeting with Covid advisory committee. 

Based on suggestions of the technical advisory committee, the Chief Minister held a meeting with senior ministers and bureaucrats regarding the lifting of restriction in 16 districts where the positivity rate is less than 5%. 

Complete unlock districts which have a 5% positivity rate are, Bengaluru Urban, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Mandya, Koppal, Chikaballapura, Tumakuru, Kolar, Gadag, Raichur, Bagalkote, Kalaburgi, Haveri, Ramanagara, Yadgir, and Bidar districts. 

However, the government did not allow to serve liquor in bars and restaurants and strictly mentioned not to use ac in hotels, malls, clubs, lodges, resorts, and buses. 

Thirteen districts that have Covid positivity rates from 5 to 10 % are allowed to continue business till 6 am to 2 pm, in these districts only essential services and grocery shops, hospitals are allowed to open. 

Lockdown restrictions are partially lifted in Hassan, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Chamarajanagara, Chikamagaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Davangere, Kodagu, Dharwad, Bellary, Chitradurga, and Vijaypura districts. In these districts, government guidelines dated June 11 will be applicable, Mr. Yediyurappa said. 

However, the government has continued the night curfew from 7 pm to 5 am and the weekend curfew from Friday 7 pm to Monday 5 am will b continued till July 5, 2021. 

Government and private offices are allowed open with 50% capacity of staffs and directed not to use air conditions. 

Complete lockdown continues in Mysuru 

However, in Mysuru district which has more than a 10% covid positivity rate will have complete lockdown till July 5, 2021, if the positivity rate comes down below 10% restrictions will be lifted in a phased manner Mysuru district. From morning 6 am to 10 am shops will be open in Mysuru to buy essentials. 

Considering the long-suffering of the people during the lockdown, the government has decided to lift the restrictions, it would help the business community who are under distress since lockdown, Mr. Yediyurappa said. 

The government has decided not to allow to operation of swimming pools, functions, religious ceremonies, temples, educational institutions, cinemas, shopping malls, amusement parks, pubs, decision will be taken after July 5 in this regard.