Vehicles, people back on streets in South Karnataka, Malnad as authorities ease restrictions

Lawrence Milton | May 5, 2020, 04:00 IST

Mysuru: With the government partially lifting restrictions and allowing public movement after six weeks of lockdown, the southern Karnataka and Malnad regions on Monday opened for non-essential services too.
There was heavy rush of vehicles on district borders as those stranded outside their towns started returning during the day. The police, meanwhile, facilitated people with online facility to get permission to move between the districts while inter-state movement is expected to commence from Tuesday.
Inspector general of police, southern range, Vipul Kumar told TOI that the situation is peaceful even with movement of public and sale of liquor in five districts – Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Kodagu. In a tweet, the IG however stated that movement of non-essential activities remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am and he has asked those above 65 years, below 10 years, pregnant women and those with adverse medical history to remain indoors.
Mysuru, though in red zone, witnessed heavy movement of vehicles at the district borders on Monday. At Kalasthwadi check-post on Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, police checked each and every vehicle entering and leaving the district. Mysuru district, which reported 90 covid positive cases, stands second in the state on the number of such cases. However, 69 of them have been cured, bringing down active cases to 11 as on Monday.
Mandya, categorized as orange zone, too witnessed restricted movement within the district. It has reported a total of 28 positive cases, and so far seven have been discharged.
The situation in Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu, which are under green category, seem to have returned to normal with authorities allowing shops to open and also intra-district movement of government-operated buses in Chamarajanagar and Shivamogga.
Kodagu reported one positive case and the individual was cured and discharged. Till now, other four districts haven’t reported any covid case.
Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to receive and sent stranded migrant workers and the process is underway.
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KSRTC resumes operations in Shivamogga
Shivamogga: Inter-district bus services resumed on Monday in Shivamogga and people who were stuck in Bengaluru and other cities started returning to their native places. However, only 25 passengers are allowed in each bus. KSRTC buses will be plying from district centre to taluks on demand from Tuesday.
KSRTC divisional officer Naveen said they had started operations within the district from Monday. “We provide all facilities and ensure social distance. Buses will operate between 7 am and 10 am and from 4 pm and 7 pm from Tuesday.
In Hassan, non-essential shops are allowed to open on alternate days starting from Tuesday. Liquor, textiles, jewellery shops were given permission to open on Monday. State transport buses allow only 27 passengers in each bus and autos have also started operating from Monday morning.
(With inputs from Shivamogga, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru)