Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa April 26 announced that the entire state including Bengaluru city will go for a full lockdown for two weeks starting from April 27 night in a bid to contain the raging COVID-19 crisis in the state. The decision came following a Cabinet meeting that was held on Monday morning as the state registered a record high of 34,000 COVID-19 cases on a single day on Sunday.

BREAKING: 14 day lockdown (govt calling it strict measures) announced in Karnataka. Starts Tuesday night. Essential services exempt.

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) April 26, 2021

“We have come to a decision after speaking to all ministers and experts,” Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said in a press briefing after the cabinet meeting. Stores selling essential items will remain open for people only from 6 am to 10 am, the Chief Minister confirmed.

Public transportation, including RTC buses and Bangalore Metro services, will not function. Goods can be transported from one state to another. The takeaway from restaurants and home delivery of alcohol has been allowed.

“In government hospitals, vaccination will be free for people between 18-45 years. For those above 45 years, the Union Government will provide vaccination free," the Chief Minister said.

Covid19 vaccine will be provided free of cost to citizens between 18-44 years of age at all govt vaccination centers across Karnataka. Union Govt vaccination drive for citizens above 45 years of age will continue.

I urge all eligible to register themselves from April 28.

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) April 26, 2021

There will be no shortage of oxygen henceforth. The Union government has agreed to increase supply from 300 MT to 800 MT, he added.

The state especially the capital of Bengaluru is reeling under a crisis of ventilator and ICU beds with patients needing to wait for hours to get admitted to hospitals. As of Monday morning, Karnataka has more than 1.6 lakh active cases with an overwhelming majority in Bengaluru.

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