Karnataka Permits Reopening Of Religious Places From June 1

BENGALURU: In a major announcement, the Karnataka government on Wednesday said that it would allow religious places to open in the state after May 31, when the fourth phase of the COVID-19 lockdown is scheduled to end.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa officially announced that the state has planned to open up all temples, mosques and churches in the state from June.

According to reports, this decision came shortly after Karnataka’s minister Kota Srinivas Poojari informally announced that the state government has decided to reopen temples from June 1.

Since the announcement of the first lockdown on March 24, all places of worship were closed for the public. Religious congregations were also barred amid the lockdown.

Meanwhile, Karnataka has reported 2,182 cases of coronavirus so far while 705 infected individuals have recovered. The state has also witnessed 44 fatalities due to the virus.

Poojary, however, had said that even as temples will be opened to offer prayers and daily rituals, temple fairs and events will not be permitted.