Bengaluru: Hours after intensifying the lockdown in the nine districts where coronavirus (COVID-19) positive cases were reported, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, on Monday, March 23 night, announced that the lockdown is being extended to the entire state of Karnataka.

This development comes are the number of COVID-19 positive cases touched 33 across the state.

According to sources, the government issued this order after seven new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in the state on Monday.

It can be recalled that earlier, the lockdown was announced in nine districts – Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Belagavi, Kalaburugi, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dharwad and Chikkaballapura. However, following the advice of experts the government has decided to extend the lockdown to the rest of the state till March 31.

In a tweet, the CM informed the state about the lockdown, stating that it would be initiated from Tuesday, March 24.

“After assessing the situation of #covid_19, we have decided to lockdown not just 9 districts but the whole state of Karnataka starting tomorrow till March 31st. I request all citizens to co operate and please stay indoors. #CoronaInKarnataka #fightagainstcorona, [sic]” he wrote in the tweet.