Karnataka eases Covid curbs; Theatres, gym, swimming pools to work with 100%

            The Karnataka government agreed on Friday to reduce COVID-19 restrictions even further by allowing theatres, gyms, yoga centres, and swimming pools in the state to operate at full capacity.

The decision was made during a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, which included the health minister, top officials, and representatives from the technical advisory group.

“Certain services, such as cinemas, gyms, yoga centres, and swimming pools, have continued to function at 50% capacity. At today’s meeting, it was resolved to ease these restrictions by taking certain precautionary steps”, K Sudhakar, Minister of Health, said.

“Cinemas and the film industry had suffered losses as a result of COVID, thus in order to provide a favourable environment for them to continue their operations and for the benefit of the public, it has been agreed that theatres can operate with 100% seating capacity beginning tomorrow. Similarly, gyms, yoga studios, and swimming pools may function at full capacity”, he said.

The Minister stated that some preventative measures would be provided in the form of instructions that must be followed, and that individuals going to theatres should wear masks compulsorily. Food would not be permitted inside the film theatre, he stated.

Furthermore, anyone accessing theatres, gyms, yoga studios, and swimming pools must have a two-dose immunisation. “Authorities, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) personnel will monitor implementation and take appropriate action in the event of a breach”.

With the third wave of the pandemic receding, the government recently decided to lift most of the restrictions, including lifting the daily night curfew and imposing a 50% seating limit on pubs, restaurants, hotels, and eateries, as well as allowing schools in Bengaluru to resume physical education classes.