Subdued Christmas and New Year celebrations this time too

Govt. issues guidelines

It will be subdued Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city for the second consecutive year as the Government has banned any large public gatherings from December 30 to January 2.

Suhail Yusuf, president, Brigade Road Shops and Establishments’ Association, said like last year, this year, the association had not done any “lighting decoration” of Brigade Road, which is the attraction for crowds to gather on the busy street on New Year’s eve. “Even before the government imposed restrictions banning public gatherings, we decided not to encourage crowds in light of the Omicron scare and opted out,” he said.

Initially, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced 50% restriction on occupancy at restaurants, pubs and clubs during the period, which left the hospitality industry crestfallen and lamenting about the loss of business for the second year in a row. However, hours later when Chief Secretary P. Ravi Kumar issued guidelines, the 50% occupancy restriction was dropped.