Delhi: Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to check the spread of the disease, the administration of New Delhi has imposed several restrictions on  New Year celebrations.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday imposed night curbs, Traffic Police of Delhi has banned vehicles around the Connaught place area of the city and the Delhi Metro has restricted exit from the Rajeev Chowk metro stations just ahead of New Year celebrations.

Night Curfew From December 31 to January 1

As per DDMA, a night curfew will be imposed in the city from December 31 and January 1 between 11 pm to 6 am, not more than five people will be allowed to assemble at a public place and no new year celebrations, events, or gatherings will be permitted post 11 pm.

“A detailed assessment of the situation in Delhi has been made and considering the threat posed by the mutant UK strain of Covid-19 virus and after observing the local incidents of the pandemic in GNCT, Delhi, it is apprehended that gatherings, congregations and public celebrations of New Year pose a considerable threat of the spread of the virus and may cause a setback to the appreciable gains made in the suppression of chain on the transmission of Covid-19 cases in Delhi,” the order issued by the DDMA read. The authority, however, said that there will be no restrictions on the interstate and intrastate movement of persons and goods during the curbs period.

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According to officials, the police and fire unit deployment has been beefed up, and traffic regulation planned. The restaurants and bars have been ordered to not host more than 50 per cent of their capacity during New Year celebrations.

“Police presence will be strengthened in markets, around malls, five-star hotels, restaurants, pubs, and bars,” an official quoted by news agency PTI.

Public Gatherings To Follow Covid-19 Protocols

SN Srivastava, Police Commissioner of Delhi, on Wednesday said that all public gatherings will be subjected to Covid-19 protocols adding that wearing masks will be mandatory.

“We will be making adequate arrangements at places where people normally like to collect. But one thing would be that all such collections would be subject to Covid-19 protocols,” he said.

No Vehicles To Enter Connaught Place Area

As the DDMA has imposed night curbs ahead of the New Year celebrations, the Traffic Police of the city on Thursday, issued an advisory which said that no vehicle will be allowed to enter the Connaught Place area on New Year Eve. "Buses won't be allowed in Connaught Place area after 7:00 pm today; routes of several buses diverted," Delhi Transport Department said.

Buses won't be allowed in Connaught Place area after 7:00 pm today

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According to the advisory, no vehicle will be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place from the Mandi house roundabout, Bengali Market roundabout, north foot of Ranjit Singh Flyover (Barakhamba Road-Tolstoy Marg crossing), Minto Road–Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg crossing and Chelmsford Road near Munje Chowk (New Delhi Railway Station).

“vehicular movement towards CP will not be allowed from R K Ashram Marg-Chitragupta Marg crossing, Gole Market roundabout, Gol Dakkhana roundabout, Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Road-Feroz Shah Road crossing, Jai Singh Road-Bangla Sahib Lane, Pachkuian Road- Bangla Sahib Lane, Windsor Place roundabout, Buta Singh Marg roundabout, and State Entry Road-New Delhi Railway Station,” the advisory said.

No vehicular traffic will be allowed in the inner, middle, and outer circle of Connaught Place without valid passes, the advisory added.

“It said vehicles can be parked near Gole Dak Khana, Patel Chowk on Rakab Ganj Road behind AIR, Mandi House on Copernicus Marg up to Baroda House, Minto Road on D D Upadhaya Marg and Press Road area, Panchkuian Road on R K Ashram Marg, Chitragupta Road and Basant Road towards Paharganj,” it stated.

“Parking will also be allowed near K G Marg-Feroz Shah Road crossing on Copernicus Lane as well as on K G Marg towards C Hexagon, near Bengali market roundabout on Babar Road and Tansen Marg, Windsor Place and Gol Market on Peshwa Road and on the service road along Bhai Veer Singh Marg and R K Ashram Road,” it further added.

Exit From Rajeev Chowk Metro Station Restricted

Expecting an overcrowded situation, the Delhi Metro Rail Authority in a bid to check the transmission of the Covid-19 disease, has restricted its passengers from exiting through the Rajeev Chowk metro station. It also said the entry of the passengers will be allowed until the last train departs.

“New Year Eve Update! To ease overcrowding on New Year's Eve (31 December 2020), exit from Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be allowed after 9 PM onwards. Entry of passengers will be allowed till the departure of last train. Please plan your journey accordingly,” the DMRC tweet quoted.

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