Bangalore: In a U-turn, the Karnataka government withdrew its night curfew order on Thursday, hours before it went into effect.
The decision to impose a night curfew for nine days from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Thursday was made on Wednesday in accordance with the Center’s advice, amid concerns about a new variant of COVID-19 spreading across the United Kingdom.
In a statement, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said: “In view of public opinion that there was no need for a night curfew, the decision was reviewed and after consultation with cabinet colleagues and senior officials it was decided to withdraw the touch. night curfew “. Yediyurappa had initially announced yesterday that the nightly curfew will be imposed from December 23 to January 2 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The changes to the dates and times of the night curfew were later announced with Yediyurappa’s tweet, it will be from December 24 to January 1, 2021, between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (January 2, 5 A.M). The Chief Minister today called on people to exercise self-control through the use of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision to impose a night curfew had drawn criticism from both the ruling and opposition parties.
Calling the night curfew a measure to ‘cover up’ the wrongdoings of the BJP government by diverting the public’s attention, Congressional head of state DK Shivakumar said: “This is an unaccountable government. You try to divert the public’s attention through various means. Does the night curfew help contain the coronavirus? “Shivakumar asked.
BJP MLC AH Vishwanath, who aspires to become a minister, criticized the government’s decision to impose a night curfew.
“I ask the government to reconsider its decision to impose the night curfew. Some of the decisions have to be made after much deliberation because it is a government for the people,” Vishwanath told media in Mysuru.
Another high-ranking BJP and Vijayapura MLA leader, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal also urged the government to reconsider its decision on the restrictions.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar defended the government’s move to impose a night curfew saying it was done on the advice of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for COVID-19.
Speaking to reporters in the city, he said, “TAC had recommended imposing night curfews from 8 pm onwards as a precaution. However, after much deliberation we decided to restrict the movement of people from 11 pm to 5 am”.
In response to criticism of the government’s move, Sudhakar sought to know what important economic activities take place at night.
“When all essential services, health facilities and transportation are well in place, I would like to know who will be affected by the night curfew.” I ask.
As the festival season began on December 24, the minister opined that thousands of young people can go out at night for the celebrations.
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