New set of restrictions in Bengaluru and other districts till April 20

Bengaluru: Due to a spike in the Covid-19 cases, the Karnataka government has issued a new set of restrictions to prevent the spread of infection. The government has proposed the suspension of offline classes for higher education and professional courses, closure of swimming pools and gyms, 50% seating in cinema halls in eight districts and restricted seating in pubs and restaurants.

These restrictions will be effective till April 20 in Bengaluru urban, Bengaluru rural, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bidar and Dharwad districts. On Friday, the state reported 4,991 cases which record for the highest single-day spike. It also witnessed a positivity rate of 4.19%.  The daily covid count in Bengaluru crossed the 3,500 mark with a positivity rate of 5.41%.

The government appealed that the number of passengers in public transport should not go beyond the seating capacity. In the meantime, work from home should be continued as long as possible. It also ordered apartment complexes to shut down gyms, swimming pools and clubhouses.

50% cap on seating capacity in theatres

“There has been a persistent rise in the number of covid cases in the last month and not following Covid-appropriate behaviour may cause a setback in gains made by the state in cutting off the chain of Covid- transmission. As more youngsters (in the age group of 10 to 19 years) are turning positive and the possible source of infection could be their educational institutes, the government suspended offline classes for all except 10,11, and 12. Classes for those in colleges and other professional courses, except those due for board/university examinations, stand suspended”, the notification stated.

Punit Rajkumar, the top star in the Kannada film industry, has appealed to the government to reconsider the decision as the notification had put a 50% cap on seating capacity in cinema halls. The seating capacity in bars and restaurants should also not exceed 50%. The order also prohibits dharnas and rallies.

Dr Giridhar Babu, a member of the Technical Advisory Committee stated, “The main objective behind imposing these restrictions is to avoid super-spreader events as we have seen that the infection is likely to spread faster in closed and overcrowded places. If we control this for two weeks, the number of cases can be reduced. We appeal to the people to cooperate.”