Karnataka government on Sunday announced more relaxations to the COVID-19 enforced restrictions, allowing cinema halls and theatres to open with 50 per cent seating capacity. The decisions were taken after a review meeting held by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa with senior bureaucrats and ministers at his official residence.
Besides cinema halls, rangamandiras and auditoriums and similar places have also been permitted to operate at 50 per cent seating capacity, adhering to Covid appropriate behaviour.
Colleges and institutions pertaining to Department of Higher Education have been allowed to reopen from July 26. However, only students, teachers and other staff who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to attend such institutions. Attending physical classes will continue to be optional.
Night curfew has been relaxed by an hour and will now be from 10 pm to 5 am.
The state had gone into full lockdown on April 28. However, the government announced relaxations in a phased manner first on June 14, then on June 21 and later on July 5.
With the experts predicting a third wave of the pandemic, the state government on Friday announced its plans to train doctors and paramedics across the state.
"The state health department will conduct training sessions for doctors and paramedical staff in district hospitals across the state for preparing them to fight the pandemic's possible third wave," Health Minister Dr Sudhakar told media.
On Saturday, the state reported 1,869 new COVID-19 cases and 42 deaths.
