Public New Year eve revelry, parties banned in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 28 : The Karnataka government on Monday banned New Year eve revelry and parties on December 31 night and early January 1 across the state capital to prevent Covid spread.
“There will be a 12-hour ban under Section 144 on gathering of more than 5 persons in public places across the city from 6 p.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1 to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection,” said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant in an order.
The order, however, exempts customers with advance booking to celebrate the New Year eve in pubs, bars and restaurants across the city under Covid-induced guidelines, with face mask and maintaining physical distance.
“All pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, star hotels and malls will have to ensure thermal screening of customers at their entrance, sanitising hands and using only 50 per cent of their capacity to ensure social distancing,” said the order.
The order has also banned DJ (disk jockey) parties, special events and any kind of performances in public places and commercial premises to prevent assembling of large gathering or crowding.
Though Covid cases have drastically declined during the month, the city continues to be the epicentre of the pandemic, accounting for over 50 per cent (3,86,908) of the southern state’s positive cases and deaths (4,304) till Monday since the virus broke out in March.