With the rising Covid-19 cases in the state, Karnataka on Friday made a move to impose a ban on large gatherings at the weddings and the public functions happening across the state, and has put a cap on the count of people from the earlier restrictions. This move comes after there are more Covid-19 clusters identified in the cities and towns of the state, particularly Bengaluru.
In a circular, state health secretary Jawaid Akhtar said, “Gathering of people will be restricted to 200 from 500 earlier in halls or closed places for social and cultural events like weddings.” Akhtar mentioned that for birthday party celebrations, a count of 50 will be permitted in closed spaces and 100 will be permitted for open spaces with following the Covid-19 protocols and social distancing norms and wearing masks. The same rules will be applicable for death ceremonies like burials or cremations.
For the religious and political gatherings to be held in open spaces, a count of 500 will be permitted and 100 when it comes to other congregations provided the venue is adequately spacious to maintain physical distancing and other norms.
The government has issued an order for stringent testing for states sharing borders with Karnataka – Kerala and Maharashtra which are having a surge in cases. There are test targets for the districts in the state border with Belagavi at 4,000 tests per day, BBMP along with Bengaluru with 40,000 per day, Dakshina Kannada with 3,000 per day and Mysuru with 5,000 per day.
On Wednesday, the Karnataka government imposed a ban on all the late-night parties held at star-hotels and restaurants, especially in Bengaluru, for curbing the surge in infections.
