BELAGAVI
The Karnataka government on Friday decided to lift the weekend curfew across the state, bringing in much relief to Goan visitors, the business strapped markets and the hotel industry of Belagavi region.
However, night curfew will continue in the state from 10 pm to 5 am every day. The Karnataka government has also continued the RT-PCR negative report compulsions at the Goa and Maharashtra border check posts.
With the lifting of the weekend curfew, Goans can now travel to Belagavi and other parts of Karnataka for weekend shopping, as the markets will remain open after a two consecutive weekend curfew since the New Year.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka said the decision to withdraw the weekend curfew was taken after a two-hour meeting with TAC members and senior officials chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Speaking to media persons soon after the meeting, Ashoka said there will be no weekend lockdown from this weekend onwards in Karnataka.
“But if the number of cases (hospital admission) increase, we will bring back the weekend curfew,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the cash strapped Belagavi markets are hoping for a revival after the decision was announced.
The Belagavi market and hotel industry, which depends significantly on Goan customers, had incurred heavy losses after the government announced the weekend lockdown from January 8. This had also affected Goans visiting Belagavi every weekend.
“We are happy that the government has taken a decision and this should help the market revive, as we expected Goans to visit Belagavi regularly, and more so, during the weekends,” said Suresh Porwal of The Raymond Shop.
Meanwhile, traders have also urged authorities to relax the mandatory RT-PCR negative report to enter Karnataka, which has been adversely affecting the markets as the number of visitors from Goa and Maharashtra has dwindled drastically.
