Bengaluru Police Imposes Section 144 (1) to restrict usage of Swimming Pool, Gym, Party Halls in Apartments
• Gyms, party halls, club houses, swimming pools in apartments to be shut
• Other gyms and swimming pools to stay shut
• Only 50% audience allowed in cinemas in BBMP and other affected districts
• Passengers in public transport not to exceed seating capacity
• Renewed stress on Work From Home
BENGALURU:
In what looks like a trailer to a possible second lockdown or even a night curfew, the Karnataka government has issued stricter rules in a bid to stay on top of the grim situation resulting from the second Covid-19 wave in the state. Among the restrictions, apartment complexes will have to shut down gyms, party halls, club houses and swimming pools, and private gyms and swimming pools will also stay shut. Only 50% seating capacity will be allowed in cinema halls in seven districts, including the BBMP area, and public transport will not be permitted to carry more passengers than the seating capacity.
Friday’s order, which comes into effect immediately, was issued by Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar, who also heads the State Disaster Management Authority. The new restrictions and prohibitions will be in effect for the next 18 days till April 20.
The order reads: “The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is satisfied that Karnataka is again under threat of the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has already been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and has considered it necessary to take effective measures to prevent its spread in the state.
‘Covid precautions flouted’
“The situation of Covid-19 in Karnataka has been reviewed and it has been observed that there has been a persistent rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state during the last one month. Further, a large number of social, religious and public gatherings like marriages and political rallies are being witnessed in which Covid-appropriate behaviour is not being followed, which may cause a setback in the appreciable gains made in the suppression of the chain of transmission of Covid-19 in Karnataka.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the undersigned, in his capacity as Chairperson, State Executive Committee, SDMA, hereby directs the Commissioner, BBMP, Deputy Commissioners and all authorities concerned to ensure that the following restrictions shall be enforced, along with the observance of Covid-appropriate behaviour (CAB).
“The Chief Commissioner, BBMP, all Deputy Commissioners and all authorities concerned shall ensure strict compliance of this order and shall adequately inform and sensitize the field functionaries about these instructions as shown below for strict compliance, in letter and spirit.
- Classes 6 to 9, including Vidyagama, shall be suspended. Classes 10, 11 and 12 can continue in the existing mode. However, attendance to these classes in person is not mandatory.
- Classes of higher and professional courses shall be suspended, except classes due for Board/University examinations and Health Sciences.
- Boarding schools and residential hostels shall be closed, except for the students of classes 10, 11 and 12 and for students of higher and professional courses appearing in Board/University examination and Health Sciences.
‘Pray and leave’
- In places of worship, individuals are permitted to visit and offer prayers only. There shall be no gatherings, functions, etc.
- In apartment complexes, common facilities like gym, party hall, club house, swimming pool, etc. shall remain closed.
- (Other) gyms and swimming pools shall remain closed.
- Rallies, dharnas, etc., for any reason shall be prohibited.
- The number of persons in public transport shall not exceed the seating capacity.
- The practice of Work From Home shall be followed in offices and workplaces as far as possible.
- In cinema halls, alternate seating subject to a maximum of 50% seating capacity only shall be allowed in the districts of Bengaluru Urban and Rural including BBMP, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bidar and Dharwad. Strict Covid-appropriate behaviour (CAB) like ensuring wearing of masks, physical distancing, provision of hand sanitizer/hand wash shall be enforced.
- In the districts of Bengaluru Urban & Rural including BBMP, Mysuru, Kalaburgi, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bidar and Hubballi-Dharwad, the number of customers in pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants shall not exceed 50% of the capacity.
Warning to pubs, etc.
- Covid-appropriate behaviour (CAB) like ensuring wearing of masks, physical distancing, provision of hand sanitizer/hand wash shall be enforced. If there is any violation in pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants, the facility shall be closed till the Covid epidemic is over.
- In shopping malls, closed markets, departmental stores, etc., strict enforcement of Covid-appropriate behavior (CAB) like ensuring wearing of masks, physical distancing, provision of hand sanitizer/hand wash shall be enforced. If there is any violation, the facility shall be closed till the Covid epidemic is over.
- The restrictions on public gatherings and congregations during religious festivals and jathras/fairs shall continue.
- The number of persons permitted for different activities will continue as per the circular issued on 12-3-2021.
‘Masks, a must’
- The existing regulations/orders regarding wearing of masks and maintaining physical distancing in public places shall be strictly implemented by the police authorities and local bodies.
“In case any person is found violating the aforesaid instructions, the defaulting person(s) shall be proceeded against as per the provisions of sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, section 188 of IPC and sections 4, 5 and 10 of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020.”
The order concludes by saying: “The above restrictions and prohibitions will be in effect till April 20, 2021.”
Also Read: Jittery BBMP wants apartment gyms and swimming pools shut https://thebengalurulive.com/jittery-bbmp-wants-apartment-gyms-and-swimming-pools-shut/
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