Revelry on MG Road and Brigade Road are barred to ensure safety and prevent crowding
Clearing the air finally after weeks of speculations, the Karnataka government on Thursday issued orders barring parties at clubs, pubs and restaurants in Bengaluru on New Year’s Eve. The government order also asked for strict safety rules to be followed and implemented during Christmas celebrations in the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, from December 30 to January 2, clubs, pubs and restaurants in the state including in the capital city of Bengaluru will not be allowed to organize DJ nights or dance parties like previous years. However, giving the hospitality industry some respite, the order allowed them to remain open as usual, with safety protocols in place, the order signed by Karnataka Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar stated.
What is not clear though is the lack of clarity on 5-start properties organizing events at their properties. If anything from the order has to go by, they would be allowed to run business as usual minus the exclusive parties. Earlier, the state Health Minister Sudhakar K had said that public gatherings from December 20 to January 2 will be restricted to 200 people. This would be applicable to religious gatherings, political gatherings, marriages, and Christmas celebrations.
The order added that Christmas celebrations should be held enforcing strict physical distancing and wearing of masks. Malls, restaurants and other establishments in the city will also have to screen temperatures of people who enter.
This also means that there will be no gatherings/ revelry allowed on MG Road and Brigade Road which for years has seen the public throng to celebrate.
