Bengaluru: Curbs on theatres, pubs & swimming pools could go

BENGALURU: With average daily Covid-19 cases falling below the 1,000-mark, the state government is planning to allow theatres to function to 100% capacity, while also allowing pubs with retail vending licences and swimming pools to reopen from October.
However, there could be several riders. While theatre and pub patrons may have to mandatorily furnish vaccination certificates, those wanting to use swimming pools must carry negative RT-PCR test reports that are not older than 15 days, sources in the government said.
However, those with Covid-19 symptoms, children under 10 years, citizens above 65 years and pregnant women, will continue to be barred from these areas, sources said.
Currently, cinema halls have been allowed to operate but at only 50% occupancy till 9pm. While pubs with vending beer licences continue to remain shut, other liquor-serving establishments have been allowed to conduct business.
Covid-appropriate behaviour, thermal scanning, checking for vaccination certificates, use of hand sanitisers at entry points and at strategic locations will be mandatory, while online ticketing systems may become the norm in film theatres. No crowding will be allowed in common areas like cafeterias and food and beverages will have to be only served in disposable containers.The government may introduce similar restrictions – like checking for vaccination certificates at entry points – for pubs, sources said.
As for allowing swimming pools to reopen, the government is likely to heed experts’ suggestions and make RT-PCR tests mandatory for those wanting to use them, irrespective of their symptoms. Test reports must be updated once every fortnight.
Sources say the government has already consulted members of the state Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee. “The government is planning to allow cinema halls to function at 100% capacity and directions for this have been sought from the committee. The matter may be decided over the weekend,” said senior officers involved in the issue.
As per the state Covid War Room data, for the past seven days, Karnataka’s overall test positivity rate has been 0.6%. “We cannot ignore the threat of a third wave as there are possibilities of new variants emerging in future. However, since economic and recreational activities must go on, the government may take a decision soon,” said officials in the know.
Film industry pressure
With the government lifting most restrictions imposed when the second wave hit, it is under pressure to open allow film theatres to function to full capacity. The film industry has been reeling under losses and many big-budget films are awaiting release.
Several delegations from the industry have met the chief minister over the past few months, urging him to lift restrictions and allow them to function.
“There is no harm per se in allowing theatres to operate at 100% occupancy if the audience comprises only people who are fully vaccinated. However, ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour will be a challenge,” sources said.
Officials say one reason why restrictions have not been lifted on these sectors is that people spend more time in pubs, theatres and swimming pools and therefore are more vulnerable to contract the infection, besides becoming superspreaders.
Not pubs, please
Dr CN Manjunath, nodal officer for Covid-19 testing in the state, said it’s relatively safer to allow cinema halls to function at full capacity and reopen swimming pools than pubs at present.
“I feel that it is better to hold back on reopening pubs for a few more weeks, as pubs are congested places and in most of them ventilation is insufficient,” he said.
He said it is better for those planning to use swimming pools to undergo a Covid-19 test initially and then routinely follow it up with tests once a fortnight. “It could be the same batch of people coming in. Hence it is better to have routine Covid tests for swimmers,” he said.