Omicron update: Karnataka imposes restrictions on New Year celebrations

Karnataka state government has announced fresh restrictions on New Year celebrations in view of the rising cases of Omicron across the country. As per the latest rules, celebrations in restaurants and clubs will, however, be allowed with 50 per cent seating capacity, but without any special events including DJs.

The development comes after the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) advised the Bommai government to impose more restrictions ahead of Christmas and New Year to contain the spread of the new variant, such as night curfews and Section 144.
Chief Minister Bensavaraj Bommai while announcing fresh restrictions, added that full vaccination will be mandatory for everyone present at the places of celebrations. He added that the staff working in clubs and restaurants should be fully vaccinated, and should also have a negative RT-PCR test result. He also informed that the restrictions will come into effect from December 30 and remain in place till January 2.

The Chief Minister added that all public gatherings like revellers on MG Road and Brigade Road to welcome the New Year will be banned across Karnataka, and that there will not be any public celebration and special events in any part of the state.
The said development comes as the state reports five more cases of Omicron variant, which accounted for a total of 19 cases. If updates from Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar are to go by, the five cases have been reported from Bhadravati, Dharwad, Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district, Mangaluru, and Udupi.