The party is over at 1 am
Posted 28 Dec 2022 | Source: https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/
Masks should be worn at all times; pregnant women, children may have to skip the party?
The State Government has permitted New Year parties, albeit with riders. After a joint meeting of Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar and Revenue Minster R Ashoka on Monday, it was decided to allow NY parties but with a condition that masks be worn by the revellers indoors.
Ashoka told reporters, “NY celebrations should end at 1 am sharp. Police have been instructed that the revellers be dispersed by 1 am. This applies to all the NY parties including those at resorts and bars. Children and pregnant women should not be allowed for hotel parties.”
Hoteliers and revellers had urged the government to allow parties till at least 2 am, but that was not to be. According to Ashoka, the staff working at all eateries must be vaccinated and no restaurant can allow excess customers. “Entries should be as per the availability of tables and chairs. Masks are compulsory even for outdoor parties like at Brigade Road.”
Quarantine rules
Meanwhile quarantine rules are back for international passengers who test positive for covid. Patients have to undergo quarantine at Bowring Hospital which has been designated as covid hospital for Bengaluru and Wenlock Hospital for Mangaluru.
As of now, no penalty has been proposed for violation. “Last year, there were a lot of issues related to penalty collection by BBMP. So, if need arises, we will hold another meeting with the CM,” Sudhakar said.
Schools have been told to conduct thermal tests before entry and students should be encouraged to sanitise regularly and masks should be worn while sitting in the classroom. Sudhakar added, “We are not suggesting restrictions to any businesses so far. We are only urging people to wear masks.”
Won’t hamper routine of citizens, economy: CM
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai categorically said preventive and precautionary measures to check the spread of covid-19 will be implemented in a phased manner without affecting the economy of the common people. He said the State Cabinet discussed the pandemic and decided to discuss with Technical Advisory Committee members to create awareness among the people, ramp the booster dose, tests for ILI & SARI cases, mandatory wearing masks inside and in public and implement other preventive steps in a phased manner. Asked about issuing separate guidelines for New Year celebrations, the CM said like in previous years, this year also there will be certain rules. In the wake of the rise in Covid cases, some more points will be added to the existing guidelines. However, precautionary measures will be implemented in stages without affecting the daily activities of citizens and the economy.
Doc’s dos, don’ts
Doctors in the city have sought to assuage the public in the face of the spike in covid cases elsewhere in the world. Dr. Swati Rajagopal (Consultant - Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital) said the rising number of cases in the USA, China, and Europe, and the new variants have caused a lot of havoc amongst the public.
The recent variant BF7, the short form of BA.5.2.1.7, is the sub- lineage of the omicron variant BA.5, she said. “It is notorious for its rapid transmission, shorter incubation period, evading the immune system and causing severe disease in individuals with a weak immune system. It’s important to focus on precautionary dose (booster dose) of vaccines, and to be responsible for revisiting the basic preventive steps of masks, hand hygiene and avoiding unnecessary travel and crowded areas,” she said.
For New Year’s celebrations approaching, she had the following tips for all: Remember to put on your mask, follow social conventions regarding distance, and wash your hands periodically.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms include a stuffy nose, sore throat, fever, congestion, nausea, fatigue, and diarrhoea.
"Dr Swati Rajagopal has been quoted in the Bangalore Mirror on 27th Dec 2022"
