Coronavirus: Karnataka govt not keen on imposing night curfew, says home minister

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the state government has no intention of imposing night curfew again in view of the COVID-19 situation in the state.  

Mangaluru: The government has convened a meeting of experts on Friday to discuss if it is necessary to impose restrictions during New Year and Christmas celebrations to stem a second wave of COVID-19, even as the debate continues on the need for a “night curfew.”

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the state government has no intention of imposing night curfew again in view of the COVID-19 situation in the state.

Speaking to reporters at Udupi, 55 kms from here, he said the COVID-19 technical advisory committee has suggested precautionary measures like not allowing large crowds during the new year celebrations. He said all preventive measures are possible without imposing night curfew.

Meanwhile, 1446 more people contracted the infection across the state on Thursday while another 894 recovered from the same. As many as 24,689 cases are active as on December 3, with the total tally since March 8 rising to over 8.89 lakh in the state.

Reacting to the bandh call by pro-Kannada organisations on December 5 to oppose the formation of Maratha Development Authority, the Minister said it would be a violation of the Supreme Court ruling on bandhs. The government would ensure all security arrangements on the day, he said.