New COVID strain: After Maharashtra, this southern state imposes night curfew till January 2

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday announced imposition of a nine-day night curfew in the state from today till January 2.

“Since the pandemic Corona is revisiting in the new form, which is yet to be identified, the State government has decided to take precautionary measures to curb spread of the pandemic by restricting people movement during night”.

“The night curfew will be in force from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs till January 2.  More than 4 people cannot gather at one place during the curfew.  Bus services will be suspended after 2200 hrs”.

He said that vehicle movement during curfew is totally banned.

The Chief Minister said that a decision to this effect was taken in consultation with the Union government and the Technical Advisory Committee.

“People should be back in their home before the curfew begins.  New Year celebration already banned except in their houses.”

He stressed that passengers arriving from abroad should carry an RT-PCR test certificate, conducted 72 hours prior to travel.

Arrangements are already in place at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here to test all the arriving passengers. Staff from the Health and Family Welfare Department will be deputed for the work. “We are making sure that nobody enters the State from abroad without being tested,” he added.

On reopening of Schools and Colleges, he said that “Schools will reopen on January 1,” as already announced.

Minister for Health Dr K Sudhakar said that the guidelines for night curfew will be released by this evening. Initially, the government had said that bars and pubs would be allowed to celebrate New Year, but with 50 per cent attendance, however with changing situations total activities will be banned during curfew period.

In the neighbouring Maharashtra state also night curfew was imposed with effect from today, he added.

Minister for Transport Laxman Savadi, however, announced exemption of implementation of the curfew from 10 pm only for a few hours today as travelling public are not aware of the government’s decision, but from tomorrow it will be strictly adhered to.

The Chief Minister’s decision has attracted widespread criticism, especially from the business community, who said it will badly affect their business and it will be a severe blow for the community which is yet to recover from Corona. (UNI)