Bengaluru: Pubs, restaurants operators urge state govt to reconsider New Year restrictions

 

Bengaluru: After the state government banned mass gatherings on New Year in light of the steady number of Covid-19 cases and the increasing reportage of Omicron strain, Pubs and restaurants operators in Bengaluru have urged the Karnataka government to reconsider the order.

In view of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had said that the new year celebrations at public places will take place in a restricted manner, with celebrations allowed in restaurants and clubs with 50 per cent seating capacity and mandatory full vaccination.

No special events, Disk Jockeys (DJ) will be allowed in the celebrations. The restrictions will be in effect from December 30 till January 2, Bommai had said.

“Our industry has been struggling for past 2 years & this decision is going to hit us once again,” a restaurant manager was quoted speaking to ANI.

“New Year is a good time for our business and putting restrictions on the occupancy will hit us… Our staff is fully vaccinated and we sanitise our tables frequently, along with following all government guidelines,” said Hamesh Kumar Yadav, manager of a Bengaluru-based restaurant.

(With inpus from ANI)