The Karnataka Government has allowed the garment units in districts that fall in red zones, but outside the containment areas, to resume operations with one-third of the workforce.
Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar announced that all recognised garment factories having an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and those registered with the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) can resume operations in these areas, but with one-third of the total workforce.
The new order said that the permission is subject to following of the Standard Operating Procedures. Presently, Bengaluru urban, Bengaluru rural and Mysuru are the red zone districts in the state.
While relaxing the COVID-19-induced lockdown in the state, the Government had recently allowed certain industrial activities to resume operations, but only in green and orange zones.
And during the earlier phase of the lockdown, garment manufacturers who were manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits for frontline warriors were allowed to remain operational.
Last week, the Chief Secretary had facilitated seamless inter-district movements declaring the districts of Bengaluru urban, Bengaluru rural, Ramanagara, Kolar and Chikkaballapur as one unit.
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar has written to the Centre requesting for a financial package from ministries such as Finance and Industries to help the struggling industrial sector.