Karnataka has withdrawn its evening curfew order (File)
Bengaluru:
Karnataka has withdrawn an evening curfew order – imposed a day earlier amid issues over a mutated and rapidly-spreading coronavirus pressure – hours earlier than it was to come back into impact, and shortly after state police issued SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for the curfew interval.
The recall marked a second U-turn in three days – on Tuesday Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa stated “there is no need for it” and on Wednesday he stated it can be imposed “in view of the new strain of coronavirus. Today he said the curfew was being withdrawn “in view of public opinion”.
“The evening curfew had been introduced to curtail the unfold of the brand new coronavirus pressure after getting recommendation from consultants. After getting suggestions from the general public, the problem was re-examined, and in session with cupboard colleagues and senior officers, the choice has been withdrawn,” a statement from the Chief Minister’s office said.
“The public ought to undertake self-quarantine, use masks, social distance, keep away from pointless journey and keep away from authorities pointers on the management of COIVD-19,” the statement added.
Karnataka, which had followed Maharashtra in announcing the night curfew – had said it would restrict non-essential movement between 11 pm and 5 am (the Chief Minister earlier said 10 pm and 6 am) till January 2.
The night curfew, ordered because of fears that the new mutant strain of the novel coronavirus would lead to yet another surge in infections, had not been well received by shopkeepers, traders and businessmen in the state.
The curfew coincided with the Christmas and New Year holiday period, which hotels, restaurants, bars and pubs in Bengaluru and other major cities would have been hoping to cash in on, particularly since many are running on months of accumulated losses due to the earlier lockdown.
“Between December 23 and January 2, no occasion or festive celebration is allowed to happen after 10 pm. It applies to each sort of occasion,” Karnataka Health Minister Dr Okay Sudhakar informed reporters on Wednesday, when requested if Christmas celebrations can be allowed.
Fears that the brand new pressure of Covid – detected within the UK in September and believed to be as much as 70 per cent extra infectious – led to the centre quickly banning flights from that nation until December 31. Those arriving on flights earlier than the ban got here into impact have been examined on arrival.
The centre has stated the brand new pressure has but to be detected in India, and that it is ready to cope with its emergence ought to instances be reported. 22 folks arriving on flights from the UK over the previous few days examined constructive; their samples have been despatched for additional testing to verify the pressure.
On Monday, Maharashtra introduced a 11 pm to six am evening curfew until January 5 in Mumbai and different cities. That too was a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray stated he was towards such an order however was solely appearing on consultants’ advice.
Maharashtra has the reported probably the most variety of Covid instances within the nation because the pandemic started in December final yr – over 19 lakh – adopted by Karnataka with greater than 9.1 lakh.