From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 24: Finally, cinema theatres will be able to function by operating to full capacity from October 1. Pubs will also be allowed to open from October 3.

However, the relaxation is subject to the condition that it will apply to districts with less than 1% Test Positivity Rate (TPR) for Covid pandemic.

But there is a further catch: If the TPR exceeds 1% and is below 2% in districts, the cinema theatres in such districts can operate only up to 50% capacity.

Children and pregnant women will not be allowed entry.

Announcing the relaxations after a review of the Covid pandemic situation in the State, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made it clear that entry to cinemas and pubs will be subject to the condition that the patrons should have taken at one dose of the Covid vaccine.

Cinemas and pubs will be closed fully if the positivity rate in the district goes beyond 2%, he warned.

The Chief Minister said night curfew will continue from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as it exists now.

"We will announce separate guidelines for Dasara festivities," Bommai said pointing out that the State’s TPR at present is 0.66%.

The Chief Minister said schools and colleges will be allowed to have 100% attendance for Classes VI to II, Pre-University.

Schools/colleges can be run for five days from Monday to Friday.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, Revenue Minister R Ashok, Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Vanditha Sharma, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Manjunath Prasad and other senior officials attended the Covid review meeting.

The government order: