Bengaluru: The state government has lifted the night curfew and allowed to reopen schools in Bengaluru Urban district from Monday onwards.

After conducting a review meeting with Covid technical advisory committee here on Saturday, the state government has taken a decision to lift the night curfew, relaxed the 50:50 rules to pubs, bars and restaurants and malls. Attendance for marriages, conducting in indoors and outdoors has been increased from 100 to 200 and 200 to 300 capacity respectively.

However, 50:50 restrictions will be continued to multiplexes and theatres. 50 percent attendance for government and private offices have been lifted. From Monday onwards, all government officers will run with hundred percent attendance, said Revenue Minister R.Ashok after the meeting.

From the first standard to 9^th standard classes will be commenced from Monday onwards, but schools have been asked to follow Covid Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). If a student tested for Covid positive, only classes of particular students studying will be suspended for a limited period, schools will not be closed. Based on positivity rate in schools, Deputy Commissioner will take a decision for closure of schools, said Primary and Secondary Education Minister B.C. Nagesh.

Decisions of the state government

• 50 percent sitting capacity will be continued in public transport, BMTC, Metro, KSRTC.
• Bars, Pubs, Restaurants, hotels and all eating places will run with hundred percent  sitting capacity, (earlier it was 50 percent sitting capacity)
• 50% sitting capacity will be continued for Cinemas and Multiplexes across the state
• Attendance for marriages for both indoors and outdoors has increased to 200 and 300 respectively.
• Secretariate and government offices will function hundred percent capacity, ealrier it was 50 % capacity. 
• Sevas, Pooja and other religious offerings in the temples will be allowed, but 50% devotees attendance continued 
• Prohibition of all fairs, fests, jatre, dharna, political gatherings, protests, padayatra, social gatherings, religious gatherings will be continued till further orders.
• 50% capacity will be continued for swimming pools, gyms, sports complexes and stadiums.

RTPCR tests will be compulsory for those who arrived from neighbouring states, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Goa.

The government has decided to give relaxation after the report of the technical advisory committee. The positivity cases have been decreased from 33% to 20.9 percent. The number of covid positive cases also decreased in the last one week, Mr. Ashok said.

As on January 29, 2022, the total positive cases registered in the state are 402857. Total positive cases to 0 to 14 age group children are 22318, only 5.5% children get affected to Covid. Only 401 children were admitted to the hospital for treatment, the percentage of hospitalization of the children in 1.6%.  Total death of all age groups due to Covid in the third wave is 146, this percentage is 0.03, Mr. Ashok explained.

Recovery cases have been increased and active cases have been decreased and hospitalization has been reduced from 2 percent to 1.6%, the minister said.

Based on Covid technical advisory committee reports and suggestions, the state government has decided to relax the restrictions. But restrictions for marriages will be continued for some time, he added.