Covid shadow: Karnataka extends weekend and night curfew till Jan 31

Violators of Covid restrictions will face strict action, says Karnataka Chief Secretary’s order

BENGALURU:

With the surge in Covid-19 cases unabated, the Karnataka government has decided to extend the current weekend curfew and night curfew till January 31.

ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕೋವಿಡ್ ನೆರಳು: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವು ವಾರಾಂತ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ರಾತ್ರಿ ಕರ್ಫ್ಯೂ ಅನ್ನು ಜನವರಿ 31 ರವರೆಗೆ ವಿಸ್ತರಿಸಿದೆ

A virtual meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is in home quarantine after he came in contact with the Covid-19 virus, concluded with a decision to extend the existing Covid restrictions till the end of January.

Big Breaking#Karnataka decides to extend its covid curbs till January month end. Currently restrictions are in place till January 19.

More details will follow shortly as @CMofKarnataka @BSBommai headed review meeting concludes@CMofKarnataka @BSBommai @mla_sudhakar #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/CVCAyLydDO

— Thebengalurulive/ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಲೈವ್ (@bengalurulive_) January 11, 2022

‘More curbs needed’

Following the CM’s direction, Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar issued a fresh order, which reads: “There has been a steep spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state during the last 2 weeks and the state government is taking all possible measures to contain the same. The situation has been again reviewed on 11-01-2022. The Technical Advisory Committee has suggested focused and effective implementation of the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour, along with additional containment measures. The state government is satisfied that the current circumstance requires additional containment measures to break the chain of transmission of Covid-19 in the state.”

ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @BSBommai ಅವರ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಕೋವಿಡ್-19 ಸ್ಥಿತಿಗತಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ್ಟಂತೆ ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ತಾಂತ್ರಿಕ ಸಲಹಾ ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಸದಸ್ಯರ ವರ್ಚುವಲ್ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಯಿತು.

ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ನಿವಾಸದಿಂದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವರ್ಚುವಲ್ ಆಗಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದರು.#KarnatakaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/FzP57kh8b4

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) January 11, 2022

The order continues: “The containment measures issued vide orders of even number dated 03-12-2021, 26-12-2021, 04-01-2022 and its connecting orders, along with additional containment measures, as below, will remain in force upto 5 am of 31-01-2022 for strict implementation by the Chief Commissioner, BBMP, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other Heads of Departments and Authorities.”

Guidelines to follow:

1. Outside Bengaluru Urban District, the Deputy Commissioners, in consultation with Health and Education Department officers in the district, considering the taluk as a unit, after assessing the prevalence of Covid-19 cases in schools, including residential schools, and colleges in the respective taluk, may decide on closure/functioning of any school/college.
2. All rallies, dharnas and protests are prohibited. However, marriage functions are permitted to be conducted involving not more than 200 people in open spaces and 100 people in closed places, strictly adhering to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and prevailing guidelines issued by the state government.
3. Public transport, including BMRCL, shall operate as per the seating capacity only.
4. It is reiterated that the Chief Commissioner, BBMP and Deputy Commissioners of the districts, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose additional containment measures as deemed necessary in their jurisdictions.
5. There shall be intensive surveillance at the borders of Maharashtra, Kerala and Goa as per the prevailing circular/guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Karnataka.
6. Strict enforcement of guidelines
   a) Chief Commissioner BBMP/Deputy Commissioners/District
   Superintendents of Police shall strictly enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour and containment measures issued vide the aforementioned orders. For the enforcement of social distancing, Commissioners of Police/Deputy Commissioners may use the provisions of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973.
   b) Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 5l to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section l88 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable.