Karnataka considers opening places of worship from June 1, awaits final nod from centre

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as many as 101 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Karnataka during the last 24 hours.

The Karnataka government has said it is considering reopening religious places of worship like churches, mosques, and temples. ANI quoted CM BS Yediyurappa saying that the state govt is going to open temples, mosques, and churches in the state after May 31st. However, the final decision will be made after the center will issue the guidelines for the period after the scheduled end of the ongoing fourth phase of the lockdown, an Indian Express report said further.

Temples and other religious places have been closed in Karnataka for more than two months now, due to the ongoing lockdown of Covid-19. Religious places will be required to follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) laid out by the central and state government.

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa held a meeting at his home office in Bengaluru on May 26 with department officials from Muzrai (religious institutions and charitable endowments of Hindus) and various ministers. Following the meeting with the CM, Muzrai and Fisheries minister of Karnataka, Kota Srinivas Poojary, told reporters that the SOP will be released shortly.

Yediyurappa launched an online app-based reservation of sevas and puja services and temple e-donations after the meeting. Under the Muzrai department, devotees can book sevas from 52 temples via the app.

These temples include the renowned Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, Dakshina Kannada Kukke Sri Subramanya Temple, Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple, and Bengaluru Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple and Banashankari Temple.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as many as 101 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Karnataka during the last 24 hours. In the state the total number of Covid-19 cases has grown to 2,283. The death toll rose to 44. At least 748 people in Karnataka have recovered from the illness. Bengaluru has the highest number of cases in the state at 101, followed by Mysuru at 84 and Belagavi at 42, Vijayapur at 32, Kalaburgi at 27.