Theatres, gyms, yoga centres and swimming pools allowed to function at full capacity in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Feb 4: Further relaxing COVID-19 curbs, the Karnataka government on Friday decided to allow theatres, gyms, yoga centres and swimming pools in the state to operate at full capacity.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai with the Health Minister, senior officials and technical advisory committee representatives.
"Certain curbs like- theatres, gyms, yoga centres, swimming pools among others to operate with 50 per cent capacity had continued. At today's meeting, it has been decided to relax these curbs by following certain precautionary measures," Health Minister K Sudhakar said.
Speaking to reporters here after the meeting, he said the decision has been taken after considering the current COVID situation and the rate of hospitalisation which was 5-6 per cent in January, coming down to 2 per cent.
"Theatres and film industry had faced losses due to COVID, so aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for them to carry on with their activities and for the benefit of the people, it has been decided that theatres can operate with 100 per cent seating capacity from tomorrow itself. Similarly gyms, yoga centres and swimming pools can also operate with full capacity," he added.
Stating that certain precautionary measures will be released in the form of a guidelines that has to be followed, the Minister said those going to theatres should wear masks compulsorily. Food items will not be allowed inside the cinema hall, he said.
Further two dose vaccination is mandatory for those entering theatres, gyms, yoga centres, swimming pools. "Authorities, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials will keep check on the implementation, and will take necessary action in case of any violation."
With the third wave of the pandemic receding, the government had recently decided to remove most of the curbs, including revoking the daily night curfew and 50 per cent seating limitation on pubs, restaurants, hotels and eateries, and allowing schools to resume physical classes in Bengaluru.
Earlier, the government had also lifted the weekend curfew.
With several new movies getting lined up for release, the government was under pressure from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to allow 100 per cent occupancy in theatres.
Stating that KFCC members have promised to abide by rules, the Minister in response to a question said, the rules and curbs in place for marriage and convention halls, will continue.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
