Kodagu, Hassan extend curbs, ban tourists

Although the state government has scrapped weekend curfew and extended business hours till 9pm, Kodagu and Hassan districts will continue to remain under semilockdown. Commercial establishments will open only till 2pm, while weekend curfew will remain in place to ensure tourist flow is regulated.
In Kodagu, only shops dealing in essential commodities can operate from Monday to Friday between 6am and 2pm.These restrictions will continue till July 19.
Charulatha Somal, Kodagu deputy commissioner, directed authorities to strictly enforce the rules. Officials have been told to regulate vehicular movement at inter-district checkposts. Those entering the district must undergo a 14-day quarantine while tourists are banned.
Homestays, resorts, lodges and other tourist facilities will remain closed and travellers from Kerala will have to furnish negative RTPCR reports not older than 72 hours to enter the district.
In Hassan, total lockdown will continue on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays till July 12. R Girish, Hassan DC, has banned entry of visitors to tourist spots and places of worship. Only 40 people are allowed for weddings, while banks and post offices will work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 1pm.
Over the past week, Hassan has reported over 200 positive cases daily. On Sunday, 269 positive cases were reported, while the district had 2,668 active cases. “The lockdown will continue for a week as the positivity rate in the district is around 5%,” said Dr KM Sathish, district health officer.