Ahead of New Year, Karnataka Govt makes facemasks mandatory; parties to end before 1 am

Ahead of New Year celebrations, the Karnataka Government has issued guidelines making wearing facemasks mandatory in closed places such as bars, malls, restaurants, and pubs.

Giving information, state Health Minister Dr Sudhakar K said that the New Year parties at pubs and restaurants will end before 1 am, adding that the state government is taking precautionary steps and there is no need of panic.

On December 22, the Karnataka Government issued guidelines and advised people to wear facemasks in closed public spaces like, movie theatres, restaurants etc. Facemasks have also been made mandatory in schools and colleges.

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The State Government also urged people who are having symptoms of respiratory infections to self-isolate themselves and get tested immediately.

The guidelines also advise people to engage in modest physical activities like breathing exercises and meditation.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is continuously holding meetings with health officials and keeping a track of the COVID situation in the country. Mandaviya on December 24 said RT-PCR test for the detection of Covid-19 would be made mandatory for international passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.

A sudden surge in COVID cases has been reported in countries like – China, Brazil, South Korea and the United States.