The Karnataka government is set to restrain New Year’s Eve celebrations in public places for the first time in recent memory citing a report that recommended stringent restrictions since a Covid-19 second wave was likely early next year.

Thousands of revellers who might be waiting to hit popular streets such as MG Road and Brigade Road might have to wait until next year with the government and its disaster management authority bent on limiting public gatherings.

However, chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday ruled out going forward with the health ministry’s technical advisory committee’s recommendation to impose night curfew during the run-up to the New Year’s Eve.

The committee, comprising top officials of the department of health and family welfare, had in its report recommended night curfew between 8pm and 5am from December 26 to January 1.

“As of now, there are no plans to impose night curfew,” Yeddyurappa told reporters here on Friday.

This meant that pubs and restaurants would function with 50 per cent seating capacity, as prescribed by the authorities when they were allowed to reopen in September.

Health minister K. Sudhakar favoured restrictions, but said it was up to the chief minister to take a call on the committee’s recommendations.

“New Year is not a festival for Indians,” said the minister who was with the Congress until last year.

“There is no meaning in celebrations when there is loss of lives and livelihoods in the society. It is meaningless to celebrate New Year at this juncture,” he said, adding the next 45 days would be crucial in containing the pandemic.

“Going by the example of other countries, the second wave occurred between 45 and 90 days of the first wave receding to a near-normal level,” Sudhakar said after a meeting with the technical advisory committee.

Karnataka has witnessed a steady decline in the Covid-19 cases since October. From over 10,070 cases and 130 deaths on October 1, the daily count has shrunk to 1,446 on Thursday when 13 deaths were reported in the state.

Revenue minister R. Ashok told reporters on Friday that he was among the ministers who suggested cancelling all public events for New Year’s Eve but had no issues with pubs and restaurants staying open.

“But bars and pubs can go ahead with their business. The city corporation commissioner has already intimated them to maintain social distancing by allowing only half the capacity,” he said.

“We have instructed the police commissioner and the city corporation commissioner to ensure only pass holders gain access to the pubs and bars on New Year’s Eve,” he said alluding to the measures to restrict numbers.

“People can celebrate at home with their family and friends, but please do not come out to the streets,” urged the minister.

“We have celebrated New Year’s Eve all these years. So nothing is going to happen if we skip for one year since it will help contain the spread of Covid-19,” Ashok said, adding that revellers should exercise caution and follow the safety guidelines.

A. George, partner of a popular pub in upscale Indiranagar, one of the major party hubs, said they were yet to receive any fresh guidelines from the authorities.

“But ultimately it is up to the people to follow the guidelines and help us and the authorities,” said George.