After the Maharashtra government recently imposed night curfew in Mumbai ahead of Christmas and New Year, the Karnataka government on Wednesday did the same in anticipation of increased night-time celebrations and revelry by crowds on the night of December 31.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that the night curfew will be in force between 10 pm and 6 am till January 2. Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar suggested that preventing the spread of the new strain of virus (discovered recently in the UK) is at the heart of the night curfew.

It's only a matter of time before many other States do much the same. Major cities like Hyderabad are expected to impose night curfews by following the principle of abundant caution. So far, there is no evidence that India has witnessed even a single case of the new strain. However, many countries are alarmed already that the new strain will be too difficult to handle given its transmission rates.

The lockdowns will surely dampen the spirits of the general public, who have prepared themselves to dine out and have 'masthi' on the night of December 31. Businesses will be hit again. In view of the risk, however, partial lockdowns look inevitable for the time being.