From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 23: Obviously rattled by the flak in social media over the snap decision announced by chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday morning on imposing daily night curfew from 10 pm till 6 am tonight to January 2, 2021 that the decision will hurt the religious celebrations and sentiments of the Christian community over the midnight mass for Christmas as well as New Year, the state government has now come with an official order postponing the clamping of curfew by a day and changing the timings.

As per the latest government order issued by the state chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar, the night curfew will become operational from 11 pm to 5 am starting from December 24 night and not from tonight or December 23 night from 10 pm till 6 am as announced by the chief minister in the morning and will continue during the nights till 5 am on January 2, 2021.

The chief minister has also announced the changes in tweets.

The midnight Christmas of Christians can be celebrated on December 24 till 11 pm subject to conformity with the earlier guidelines issued in the government order of Decemeber 17 of maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitization.

The movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 11 pm to 5 am daily from December 24 till January 1, 2021 night from 11 pm to 5 am on January 2, 2021, except for essential activities.

"There shall be no restriction in movement of all types of goods through trucks, goods vehicles or any other goods carriers, including empty trucks,’’ the government order says.

The government order issued by the chief minister said the state has effectively implemented the COVID-19 containment measures through strictly enforcing appropriate behavior and aggressive tracking/testing and isolating which has resulted in sustained decline in the number of fresh cases in the state for over two months now. With a view to consolidate the substantial gain that have been achieved in the state against the spread of the pandemic and to fully overcome the pandemic, the state government has issued guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution of COVID-19 which will be in force till the year end.

But with the detection of new variant of SARS-COV2 virus in UK, which is spreading and growing rapidly in UK. It has also been reported that some recent returnees from UK to the state have tested positive for COVID-19 and the samples of the patients were undergoing further tests to determine if they have detected a new variant of the virus. As a result the government has taken additional measures to combat the spread of the new variant of SARS-COV2, it said.

All industries/companies/organisations which require operations at night shall be permitted to be operated with 50% staff. Movement of employees of such establishments shall be allowed on production of valid ID cards issued by their respective organisations/institutions. Industries requiring 24x7 operations will be allowed to operate without any restrictions,’’ the order said.

Further, the movement of long distance night buses, train services and air services are permitted. Also, to and fro movement of taxis and autos are permitted for dropping/pickup of people from bus stops/railway stations/airports subject to display of valid tickets.

TAC Suggested Imposition of Night Curfew

"The decision to impose Night curfew in the state has been taken as per the suggestions given by the technical advisory committee and the Health Department is keeping vigil on passengers returned from United Kingdom,’’ explained health and medical education minister Dr K Sudhakar.

Dr Sudhakar held a detailed discussion with the members of technical advisory committee in morning.

The meeting was significant on the backdrop of reports of a new strain of Corona virus found in the UK. Later Dr Sudhakar met chief minister B S Yediyurappa at his official residence 'Krishna' and briefed him on the suggestions provided by experts in the meeting.

The minister requested the citizens to cooperate as the decision is taken in the interest of public health and safety.

Health Department To Keep Vigil

Health department officials will keep vigilance on those returned from UK from November 25 to December 22. They will undergo 28 days compulsory quarantine. Health officials will take care of their health for initial 14 days. After that individuals have to volunatilyrestrict  hemselves at home, the minister said. 

A total of 2,500 passengers have arrived in the state during this period. Two flights/day arrived during this period. Details of the passengers are available and every single passenger will be kept under strict vigilance. RT-PCR test will be conducted if symptomatic.

"We have four elite institutes in Bengaluru including IISc and NIMHANS to study genetic sequence of the virus. Sample of the positive persons will be given to these institutions for study and research will be conducted on new variant of the virus,’’ Dr Sudhakar said.

Political Leaders Should Get Their Facts Right

"A political leader has issued a statement that 14,000 passengers have arrived from UK. This is completely baseless. There is no need for the government to hide the data. Politicians should get their facts right before they speak,’’ the minister said.

Responding to the objections raised by Bar and Hotel Owners association for night curfew, Dr Sudhakar clarified that night curfew decision is not a happy decision but it is inevitable.

Considering the public health and safety curfew has been imposed. There is no restrictions for any activities before 11 pm and all agricultural activities including transportation and marketing of farm produce will not be affected, he said.

"Everyone should be sensible and act responsibly in this matter, we should not consider only financial implications. Public health is paramount. Curfew it will help us to study the genetic sequence of the new mutant during this period,’’ Dr Sudhakar said.

He said the Archbishop of Bengaluru Dr Peter Machado has 'conveyed a message to me that they are not conducting any celebrations this time. I have written a letter thanking Archbishop for this gesture,' said the minister.