From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Updated
Bengaluru, Dec 26: With Covid-19 variant Omicron cases on the rise and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his special TV address to the nation on Christmas night asking the people to exercise caution, the State Government at a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday morning has decided to reintroduce night curfew throughout Karnataka from Tuesday, December 28, 10 pm for 10 days till January 7 morning 5 am.
All restaurants, hotels, pubs and clubs have been directed to operate only at 50% of their capacity, subject adherence to all Covid norms like social distancing, compulsory wearing of masks and sanitisation on from December 30 till January 2. All the staff in these establishments shall have to possess a Covid negative certificate after RTPCR testing and must have obtained two doses of the vaccine.
In addition, public gatherings including marriages, conferences in all places have been restricted to a maximum of 300 persons with strict observance of the Covid appropriate behaviour from December 28 onwards. The responsibility for adherence shall be on the organisers or hosts.
Travellers from neighbouring States like Kerala and Maharashtra shall be subjected to strict vigilance and surveillance.
The meeting was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, Revenue Minister R Ashok, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar and other senior officials.
As per the new night curfew guidelines issued by the government, only essential activities will be allowed during the curfew hours and all other movement of individuals will be prohibited. Patients and their attendents requiring emergency medical care will be allowed.
All industries/companies which require operations at night shall be permitted to operate provided the employees carry their company identity cards. The same will be allowed for employees and vehicles of telecom and internet service providers.
Medical, emergency and essential services including pharmacies shall be fully operational.
There will be no restrictions on movement of goods vehicles, home delivery and e-commerce.
Buses, trains, Metro rail services and air travel will be permitted, along with taxis, provided that valid travel documents are produced on demand.
Karnataka on Saturday December 25 reported seven new cases of Omicron variant, taking the total number so far to 38.