Bengaluru: Prohibitory orders have been issued in Bengaluru by the police and the district administration in order to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown guidelines. Only essential and emergency services are exempted from the rules.

Issuing the order on Monday, Bengaluru Commissioner of Police Bhaskar Rao stated that the prohibitory orders under section 144 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure will come into force in the city with effect from midnight on April 20. The prohibitory orders will continue till midnight on May 3, he added in the order.

“As per the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on the measures for containment of COVID-19 epidemic, it is imperative to take stringent measures in the jurisdiction of Commissioner of Bengaluru city to prevent the spread of the disease,” the order stated.

Additionally, the offices of the Government of India, its autonomous and subordinate offices and public corporations shall remain closed. Offices of defence, central armed police force, treasury, public utilities, disaster management, power generation and the post office will remain open.

Offices to the state government, their autonomous bodies, corporation, etc shall also remain closed. The police, home guard, civil defence, fire and emergency services, electricity, water, sanitation and Mandis operated by Agriculture Produce Market Committee, etc, will remain open, according to the order.

Municipal bodies, with staff required for essential services, are also allowed to function during the lockdown and other essential and emergency services, like hospitals, shops, etc. have also been exempted.

(With inputs from ANI)