Awaiting new guidelines from the Centre on lifting the extended lockdown, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa advised industry apex bodies to prepare for resuming work from May 4 except in coronavirus-hit containment zones across the state, an official said on Thursday.
"The state government is expecting further guidelines to resume industrial operations after May 3," said an official, quoting Yediyurappa telling the captains of the industry and heads of trade bodies at an interaction with them.
The Chief Minister also told the industry representatives that he was aware of the problems they were facing but appealed them to continue to pay salaries to their employees.
Insisting on physical distancing, Yediyurappa said precautionary measures should be taken for the employees' safety in the factory, including wearing masks and maintaining hygiene.
The state government has allowed industrial activities in 14 districts which are green zones, being free from the virus over the last 28 days.
The Chief Minister also said that the Labour Department was giving permission to factory owners on extending work hours.
The representatives who met Yediyurappa included from the FKCCI, KASSIA, FICCI, CII, AWAKE, ASSOCHAM, BCIC, Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs and others.
( With inputs from IANS )