As coronavirus cases rise to 9,150 in Karnataka, Kanakapura town in Ramanagara district has decided to go into self-imposed, voluntary lockdown till July 1.

During a meeting chaired by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president-designate DK Shivakumar, it was observed that Kanakapura will have 17 hours lockdown every day till July 1. 

Masks
Courtesy: Reuters

According to the Congress leader, DK Shivakumar, "This lockdown has nothing to do with the State government's guidelines. This will be voluntary and will be reviewed on July 1." A press release stated that the measures were taken in order to protect the people especially the young and old during the pandemic. 

According to the new rules of voluntary lockdown, the essential shops will be open between 7 am and 11 am. Wearing a mask and using sanitiser is compulsory. Timings for medical stores and wine shops are yet to be decided after consultation with the trade bodies. 

DK Shivakumar
D.K. ShivakumarMANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP/Getty Images

According to the Shivakumar, the government was providing Rs 60 daily to patients admitted at the Ramanagaram govt hospital and quarantine centres towards food expenses, which he called 'insufficient'. He further announced Rs 100 would be given  from the DKS Charitable Foundation  

All political representatives and traders have agreed to the town's decision to go under quarantine. Covid-19 tally crossed the 9,000-mark, with 453 new positive cases recorded in Karnataka in the last 24 hours. The virus also claimed 5 more lives, taking the state's toll to 137 till date.

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