With an aim to curb the spread of coronavirus during Christmas and New Year, the Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, on Wednesday, said that the state will impose a night curfew, starting December 23, news agency ANI reported.

The curfew, which will be practiced till January 2, will be in place between 10 pm and 6 am.

“This (night curfew) has been done to prevent and contain the coronavirus strain found in the UK. We are also monitoring international passengers arriving in the state,” Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said of the imposed curfew.

Dr Sudhukar reiterated that no function or festive celebration will be allowed after the curfew timing.

“Between December 23 and January 2, no function or festive celebration is allowed to take place after 10 pm. It applies to every kind of functions,” Sudhakar said.

Neighboring Maharashtra on Monday had declared a night curfew in municipal corporation areas as a precautionary step amid growing concerns over a new coronavirus variant spreading in Britain.

Yediyurappa said those travelling to the state from foreign countries must have COVID-19 certificate and the test should have been done only 72 hours before.

All arrangements have been done at the airport to conduct tests and health staff have been deployed there and we have seen that no one enters the city without getting tested.

Responding to a question the Chief Minister said all activities will go on as usual between 6 am to 10 pm and no one should come out after 10 pm.

He said a guideline will be issued soon in this regard.

Regarding schools and colleges we have discussed and informed that it will open from January 1 for class 10 and second year PUC (class 12) students, he said, adding “within two days we will see if there are any developments and come back. As of now it will start from January 1.”