The state government also mandated masks at pubs, clubs, and restaurants ahead of the New Year festivities because to an increase in Covid-19 cases in China and a few other nations.

The Karnataka government mandated masks on Monday with immediate effect at the state's malls, movie theatres, schools, and institutions. The state government also mandated masks at pubs, clubs, and restaurants ahead of the New Year festivities because to an increase in Covid-19 cases in China and a few other nations.

Masks have been made required inside movie theatres, schools, and universities, the Karnataka health minister K Sudhakar announced following a significant meeting with the experts and government representatives. In order to celebrate the New Year in pubs, restaurants, and taverns, masks will be required.

The minister added that New Year's Eve festivities had to finish by one in the morning. "New Year's Eve festivities in the state ought to wrap up by 1am. There is absolutely no need to panic; you simply need to exercise care, the minister continued.

Face masks are now required in enclosed areas and air-conditioned locations, per the Karnataka government, starting on Thursday. In all state-run hospitals, the government will also practise an emergency reaction to deal with Covid-19.

The minister added that a total of 12 overseas travellers at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport tested positive for Covid-19 in December. To track and identify the variations, the samples from all positive cases were sent for genome sequencing.