Bengaluru: Karnataka's government has imposed a ten-day night curfew in the state, beginning December 28, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., according to Health Minister K Sudhakar.
Along with the night curfew, the state administration has imposed certain limitations on New Year's Eve celebrations and gatherings, citing new COVID-19 clusters as well as the growing danger of the new Omicron Coronavirus type.
"From December 28 onwards, for about ten days to begin with, we would like to watch by calling a night curfew, invoking Section 144, from night 10 pm to the next morning 5 am," Mr Sudhakar stated.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters following a high-level meeting of top ministers, officials, and the COVID technical advisory council, which he led, that there would be a restriction on festivities 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," he stated .
The minister also said that 50 percent of the seating capacity of establishments such as cafes, motels, taverns, and restaurants may be used.
So far, India has documented 422 Omicron instances, the most of which have occurred in Maharashtra and Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced vaccines for children aged 15 to 18 years old beginning January 3 in his late-night national speech. From January 10, he also declared "precaution dosages" for health and frontline workers, as well as those over 60.