The Karnataka government on Thursday withdrew its night curfew order a day after shocking the hospitality industry that was gearing up to welcome New Year revellers.

The government had on Wednesday issued an order enforcing night curfew from 11pm to 5am starting from December 24 to the morning of January 2.

The government attributed the turnaround to public opinion. “It has been decided to withdraw the night curfew after receiving feedback from the public and discussing with senior officials,” the government said in a statement.

However, New Year’s Eve revelry will not be allowed on the streets anywhere in the state, and pubs and restaurants can allow only 50 per cent of the seating capacity.

The government had cited the mutant Covid virus detected in Britain as the reason for clamping down during the festive season. Two passengers who arrived in Bangalore from London had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Sources said several BJP lawmakers were unhappy with the decision that would have hit the hospitality sector very hard.The president of the Bangalore Hotels Association, P.C. Rao, welcomed the curfew withdrawal. “We had already said that the night curfew would not be beneficial in any way. We are glad that the chief minister has listened to our requests,” he said.