New Year celebrations banned in city from December 20 to January 2

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to ban public celebrations of the New Year. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant on Wednesday clarified that, New Year celebrations were banned from December 20 to January 2 in public places in Bengaluru.

"This year, there will be no celebration of New Year in the city limits. From December 20 to January 2, we have banned celebrations in public places, including MG Road and Brigade Road. This decision was taken after recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19. So people must follow this rule to avoid Covid outbreak," said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant. However, the State government has instructed that other public gatherings for New Year celebrations would be strictly limited. Pubs, hotels and restaurants shall operate at just 50% capacity. "As the ban has the sanction of the State government, it will be implemented strictly, our police patrolling will be 24/7 across the city limits and also there will be no night curfew on New Year's evening" Kamal Pant added.

The State's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has recommended that New Year celebrations should be banned and night curfew (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) imposed from December 26 to January 1. According to a report "Advisory on recognition and containment measures for second wave of COVID-19 in Karnataka" that was prepared on the basis of recommendations given by the TAC at its November 24 meeting, it has been recommended that the State should strictly enforce mask wearing by deploying more marshals/ police to fine violators.