Bengaluru: The state government has announced a complete lockdown in nine districts of Karnataka with immediate effect. Most government offices will also remain closed in these nine districts to ensure that the people will remain indoors.

The nine districts going into a complete lockdown are Mangaluru, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Belagavi, Kalaburugi, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dharwad and Chikkaballapura as COVID-19 positive cases have been reported from these areas.

According to the government order, except for emergency services, no other service will be available in these nine districts. All activities, including industries, will be shut down in these districts.

An earlier the state banned inter-state and inter-district vehicular movement, ordered the people to remain at home and directed all commercial set-ups to remain closed.

As per the latest order, all prayers and festival celebrations are banned. Gatherings of more than five people are strictly prohibited. However, this order is not applicable to a few services, including banks and post offices.