BENGALURU: The state government on Friday issued the revised guidelines for the 20 districts, including Bengaluru, where lockdown has been relaxed and allowed standalone liquor stores and optical shops to be open till 2pm.
Under the revised guidelines, as announced by chief minister B S Yediyurappa, the government formally notified the extension of timing for essential services and groceries to be open till 2pm.
These relaxations have not been given to the 11 other districts which continue to see a stringent lockdown till June 21.
The fresh guidelines suggest that only “stand alone liquor shops and outlets, take away only, allowed from 6am to 2pm”.
It also adds that optical shops are also permitted to function from 6am to 2pm.
The new guidelines of keeping shops and liquor stores open till 2pm will be operational for all the seven days, including during weekend curfew.
This apart, the government has allowed 50 per cent staff presence in key government departments as well, which include agriculture and allied offices, public works department (PWD), housing, RTOs, cooperation, NABARD and revenue department, apart from government of India offices.
The state government has also allowed the congregation of people at skill trainings programmes organised by health sector only.
The government has retierated that the relaxations are in place till June 21, 6am, after which a revised guideline may be issued depending upon the Covid-19 cases increasing or decreasing.
Weekend curfew is backUnder the revised guidelines for the relaxed lockdown norms in 20 districts, including Bengaluru, the state government has relaxed the norms for weekend curfews as well by keeping essential commodities shops and liquor stores open till 2pm and allowing restaurants and hotels to remain open through the day for delivery only.
However, all non-essential industries will be shutdown for the two days except for those dealing with emergency and essential services and require 24×7 presence of personnel.
People will not be allowed to move around on Saturday and Sunday, with even takeaways from hotels barred.