BENGALURU: The state government on Monday deferred a

decision

on easing lockdown restrictions from April 22 after the Centre came down heavily on

for diluting its guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act 2005.

chief

BS Yediyurappa and the state’s Covid-19 task force may review the situation in 3-4 days. Until a decision is made, stringent restrictions will continue across the state till May 3.

On day 1 of a relaxed lockdown in Kerala, crowds and heavy vehicular traffic were seen on the streets in several cities amid confusion on the concessions allowed. Kerala will write to the Centre afresh to allow relaxations in view of the drop in Covid-19 infections in the state. Following the Kerala developments, the Karnataka cabinet, which met around Monday noon for over three hours, authorised Yediyurappa and the Covid-19 task force to review the situation in the next 3-4 days. “Until then, the situation that exists as of today will continue,” law and parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy said.

At the meeting, the CM and a majority of the ministers were reportedly in favour of relaxing restrictions to revive economic activities. The Centre’s stern putdown to Kerala — asking why commercial activities were allowed in violation of its guidelines — pushed the state government on the backfoot.

State to wait for Centre’s reply to Kerala

We will see how the Centre reacts to Kerala’s appeal, and we will decide on the course of action,” a minister said, adding: “In all probability, Karnataka will make a decision on Wednesday or Thursday.” A senior minister said the decision to extend the lockdown till May 3 was one of consensus since there were strong indications of a spike in cases in the next two weeks.

Over the past three days, the state government has gone back and forth on easing the curbs, factoring the dip in fresh infections and the need to revive economic and commercial activities as lakhs of livelihoods are at stake. Fears of a backlash in infections — once movement is allowed — have prompted authorities to pull back each time. On Sunday, chief secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar issued fresh orders directing continuation of the stringent lockdown measures stipulated by the Union home ministry till the midnight of April 21. Sources said a majority of epidemiologists and doctors on the Covid-19 task force, who attended the cabinet meeting, favoured continuation of a complete lockdown till May 3.

Industries minister Jagadish Shettar, among others, batted for the opening of a few industries.