Mangaluru: Karnataka Director-General of Police (DGP) Praveen Sood in a tweet today said that grocery shops and supermarkets can remain open 24*7 all over the state.

Amid the panic buying witnessed by people and subsequent crowding at shops after the lockdown announcement, the DGP clarified that in view of people’s convenience these shops will remain open. He however asked people to avoid crowding and cooperate with the police.

“Patients requiring medical attention are allowed to and from hospital without any need for curfew pass,” he said in yet another tweet.

Notably the top cop’s tweet came hours after Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel announced a total lockdown in Mangaluru while saying that efforts are underway to arrange a system to deliver essential items at doorsteps during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

While the feasibility of this arrangement is being doubted by netizens, the Karnataka DGP’s tweet will only add to confusion of Mangalureans if they are allowed out for buying essentials.