Karnataka, Assam reimposes night curfew

Two more states decided to impose night curfew. Karnataka became the latest state to announce the return of night curfew in view of a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, including those due to the Omicron variant. In a meeting chaired by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, the state government decided that starting December 28, for a period of 10 days, there will be a ban on movement of people, from 10pm to 5 am. The Karnataka government further informed that it will monitor the situation for these 10 days, after which the decision will be reviewed. Health Minister K Sudhakar informed that there is also a curb on functions and gatherings for the New Year. "There will be no functions, parties in the external premises, especially for those celebrating with DJs and large gatherings, they have been completely banned in Karnataka," Sudhakar informed. The Minister said that places like eateries, hotels, pubs and restaurants can have 50 per cent of the seating capacity of the premises. 

Sudhakar said that those who tested positive were: a 76-year-old man from Bengaluru, who had travelled from Delhi, a 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru, who came from UAE, a 63-year-old man from Bengaluru who arrived from Zambia and a 54-year-old man from Bengaluru, who was a primary contact of a United Kingdom traveller. He had added that a 21-year-old man from Bengaluru who arrived from the UK, a 62-year-old man from Bengaluru, who came from Delhi, and a 15-year-old boy from Bengaluru who travelled from the USA have also been found infected. Sudhakar said all primary and secondary contacts have been tracked, traced and tested.

Meanwhile, Assam government has decided to impose night curfew across the state from Sunday, December 26, 2021.  to contain spread of COVID-19 infection. Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) issued a revised and consolidated directive for both rural and urban areas in this regard. The night curfew will be from 11.30 PM to 6 AM across the State. However, this curfew will not be applicable on December 31. All the government offices will remain open. Business and commercial establishments can function upto 10.30 PM. Regarding closed venues, the gathering is allowed up to 50 percent of the seating capacity of hall and auditoriums. Religious places are allowed to operate with 60 fully vaccinated persons per hour for iconic places and 40 fully vaccinated persons per hour for other religious places. Cinema halls will continue to operate with 50 percent of seating capacity of fully vaccinated viewers and observance of COVID-19 appropriate behavior. Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per related provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under related Sections of IPC. Any person not wearing mask or spitting in public places shall be fined to the tune of 1000 rupees.