Amid global fears over the new mutant strain of coronavirus, a night curfew has been announced in Karnataka till January 1. Karnataka has become the second state after Maharashtra to announce new restrictions this week as concern grows over the new strain, which is believed to be 70 per cent more infectious. It was first found in the United Kingdom.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Thursday defended the government's move to impose night curfew from December 24 till January 1 in the state, saying it was done on the advice of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Covid-19.

Speaking to reporters, Sudhakar said, "TAC had recommended imposing night curfews from 8 pm onwards as a precautionary measure. However, after much deliberation we decided to restrict the movement of individuals from 11 pm to 5 am."

On Monday, Maharashtra announced an 11 pm to 6 am night curfew till January 5 in Mumbai and other cities, a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said he was against a night curfew although experts had recommended it.

India is among over 30 countries that have announced temporary UK travel ban. The mutant strain was first reported in Britain in September and has led to a surge in the country's Covid cases. Italy and Denmark have also reported patients infected with the mutant strain.