Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand Are Latest States To Announce Night Curfews Amid Omicron Threat

The Kerala government has imposed a night curfew starting from December 30 to January 2 from 10 pm to 5 am.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Kerala became the latest states to impose a night curfew amid concern over the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

The Kerala government has imposed a night curfew starting from December 30 to January 2 from 10 pm to 5 am.

In view of the rising #Omicron cases, Kerala govt imposes night curfew (10 pm to 5 am) from December 30 till January 2

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2021

No New Year celebrations will be allowed after 10 pm on December 31, said the state government. 

Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, the night curfew will remain in force from 11 pm to 5 am till further orders, said an order issued by Chief Secretary SS Sandhu. It will come into effect from Monday night.

Uttarakhand | In view of the new #OmicronVariant, state govt imposes night curfew (11:00 pm to 5:00 am) from today till further orders; essential services to continue: State Police pic.twitter.com/cRWeQU6v05

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 27, 2021

Essential services such as health, transportation of cars transporting health staff, ambulances, and postal services, on the other hand, have been exempted from the curfew's ambit.

Production, transportation and distribution of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG will also be exempt from the restrictions. Private cars will also be permitted to ply during the curfew for emergencies, subject to strict adherence to Covid SOPs and safety regulations.

Karnataka

The Karnataka government has announced a night curfew in the state for 10 days starting from December 28, between 10 pm and 5 am, till January 7. The Karnataka government has also imposed restrictions on New Year celebrations. 

No public events/gatherings to celebrate New Year's Eve shall be allowed anywhere in Bengaluru. People who have prior bookings will be allowed to visit pubs, hotels, and clubs. Restaurants will be allowed to operate on 50 per cent seating capacity and mandatory full vaccination condition.

The Omicron variant has rapidly spread to 106 countries in less than a month from its discovery and India too is experiencing a surge in cases. 

India has reported over 550 Omicron cases. Delhi has recorded the most cases of Omicron in the country, followed by Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Health Ministry said

Keeping this in mind, the Delhi administration has imposed a blanket ban on New Year celebrations and gatherings. Delhi has also announced a night curfew from 11 pm on Monday. Similarly, in Mumbai, party organisers will be required to obtain formal authorisation from authorities if more than 200 persons are invited.