The Karnataka government has extended the lockdown in the state to counter coronavirus by nine days till March 31, Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa told the Assembly on Wednesday.

"The week-long lockdown in the state, since March 14, has been extended till March 31 to contain the fallout of Covid-19 on the people," Yediyurappa told the members after the decision was taken at an emergency cabinet meeting here.

All malls, pubs, theatres, multiplexes, clubs and others will continue to remain shut till the month end to prevent people from gathering in large numbers.

The cabinet has also decided to set up a task force to tackle the pandemic.

Headed by state Health Minister B. Sriramulu, it will have Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, Deputy Chief Minister C. N. Ashwathnarayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Chief Secretary T. M. Vijay Bhaskar as its members and meet daily to review the situation.

"The cabinet has decided to earmark Rs 200 crore for meeting the expenditure on Covid-19," Yediyurappa said.