BENGALURU: While citizens are eagerly waiting to welcome the New Year amid Covid-19 fears, the state government has already released guidelines for celebrations.
People are looking forward to celebrating the New Year with family and friends in a grand manner, as there were no celebrations for the last two years due to the pandemic. However, a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in many countries, including China, has prompted precautionary measures in India. Pubs and other establishments hosting New Year parties have agreed to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Ananthnarayan, a core committee member of the Bengaluru chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), said, “Different officials are talking about different timings for opening bars and restaurants. We met the police commissioner today to get clarity on timings. He said that previous rules will apply during the New Year’s Eve celebration. Beyond that, the department concerned has to make a decision. We will approach the authorities concerned. The government knows what is best for the citizens and the country. We at NRAI firmly believe in adhering to all rules, whether they are set by the health, police, or BBMP. We will also request some relaxation”.
A pub manager said, “We are following government guidelines. Our staff have taken two doses of vaccination and we are ensuring that customers have taken a second or booster dose. We have taken every precaution, such as wearing masks, sanitizing, and monitoring body temperature. We have already suffered for the past two years, and we are only now emerging from the economic crisis and resuming business operations. The new guidelines may affect business again due to sudden surge of Covid in other countries. We will have a clear picture after one week”.