Home Articles Night curfew likely to impose as Karnataka government chooses safer side
KEY STORY
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Any relaxation of the night curfew in the immediate future is unlikely, ministers in Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s Cabinet say, as the government remains wary of a possible surge in Covid-19 case numbers after the festival season.
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Ministers say that the cautious government is unlikely to withdraw the night curfew, which some argue is unscientific, when the guidelines are reviewed again on September 13.
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Speaking to DH, Higher Education and IT/BT Minister C N Ashwath Narayan said that the Bommai government was monitoring the situation closely.
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“It’s still pandemic season and there are fears of a possible spike in cases in October,” he said.
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Narayan headed the Covid-19 task force in the previous government.
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The government has to be cautious and keep a watch on the emergence of any new Covid-19 variants that could cause problems.
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“We don’t want to relax regulations like night curfew as case numbers decline, and then face a spike,” Narayan said, adding that regulations were essential “to be on the safer side”.
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Housing Minister V Somanna said that any relaxation of Covid-19 guidelines will be done in stages.
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“Let Ganesh Chaturthi festival get over, after which the government can assess the situation and take a call,” he said.
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Somanna said that there has not been any discussion on withdrawing the night curfew.
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Urban Development Minister Byrathi Basavaraj echoed the same sentiment over the issue.
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“After the monsoon session, there could be some discussion about it,” he said, suggesting that the night curfew would stay till September 24, when the legislature session ends.
CONCLUSION
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The night curfew, which starts daily at 9 pm and lasts till 5 am, has come under criticism for laxity in enforcement. While traffic is as usual, shops and establishments down shutters fearing harassment by the police.
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Last week, a section of ministers demanded withdrawal of the weekend curfew and other restrictions during a Cabinet meeting.