Karnataka TAC Suggests Ban on New Year Celebrations, Warns of 2nd Covid Wave in Jan

Bengaluru, Dec 2: A report by Karnataka’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for COVID-19 foresees a second wave of Covid 19 infection in the state and suggests that New Year celebrations must be banned in the state.

The Advisory Committee seeks to ban New Year public celebrations from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 and impose a night curfew (8 pm to 5 am) during this period.

The Committee expects the second wave of COVID-19 during January-February, 2021. In view of this, it has suggested:

1. For early recognition of the second wave of COVID-19 in the state by closely monitoring 7-day average growth rate and reproduction number (R0) at district and state levels.

2. An epidemic intelligence team should be supporting the state war room for early recognition of second wave and alerting the Additional Chief Secretary-HFW & Commissioner-HFWS.

3. Minimum of 1.25 lakh tests per day should continue till the end of February 2021, of which 1 lakh shall be RT-PCR.

4. To keep ready by 1st week of January, the clinical facilities at an October 2020 level in terms of beds, ICUs, ICU- ventilators, etc. both in Govt & Private hospitals including ambulance services or this could be ramped up at a short notice of 2–3 days maximum.

5. Restriction of mass gatherings likes fairs and festivals, religious congregations, cultural events, etc. Strictly restrict super spreader events during December & January (winter months) like
permitting events only in open areas like Marriages, etc.