Mutant Coronavirus Brings New Restrictions; Check The Guidelines For New Year Celebrations In Your State

States have enacted strict measures to prevent large gatherings during New year's celebrations, as efforts to trace passengers who returned from the UK in recent days and their contacts, continue.

New Year Celebrations: The new strain of Coronavirus which was first detected in the UK has now been found in India and reports suggest that the mutant Coronavirus spreads 70 times faster than the old one. With a new virus comes new fears and new restrictions. While the world waited for 2020 to end and hoped that the new year will break free of every bad memory it faced after the pandemic hit us, the new strain seems to have destroyed our plans. To cope with the new mutant virus and restrict the old one from spreading, the state governments in India have issued specific guidelines for the new year celebrations. Take a look at what are the SOPs in your state/city.

Mumbai:

• A night curfew is in place, prohibiting the gathering of five or more persons between 11 pm and 6 am
• Gatherings in restaurants, bars, and pubs will not be allowed post-11 pm, the police said, adding loudspeaker/DJ music beyond permissible decibel limit and fireworks are also prohibited.
• Violators of the prohibitory order issued under section 144 of the CrPC would face action under section 188 (disobeying the order of public servant) of the IPC and section 51 of the National Disaster Management Act, a police official said.
• Citizens can travel, subject to a maximum of four persons per four-wheeler. There will be no restriction on visiting friends, relatives, and public places, but not in a group of more than 4 persons, the police said.
• Large gatherings will not be allowed anywhere in Mumbai in view of COVID-19 and the use of face masks and social distancing norms will remain mandatory.
• Essential services will continue to operate and activities exempted by the state government will be permitted.
• The Mumbai Police will conduct blood tests instead of the breath analyzer test for those they suspect to be driving after drinking alcohol on New year's Eve.

Delhi

Delhi Disaster Management Authority also imposed a night curfew in Delhi. Not more than five persons can assemble at a public place, no new year celebration events, no gatherings at public places are permitted from 11 pm of 31st Dec to 6 am of 1st Jan. The authority has also restricted celebrations from 11 pm of 1 Jan to 6 am of 2nd January, 2021. In Noida, not more than 100 people are allowed at the New Year's Eve parties. Restaurants, clubs, and hotels organising parties in Gautam Budha Nagar will have to take permission from the district magistrate or police commissioner before organising any party or gathering of more than 100 people.

Kerala

Kerala Government has issued orders prohibiting all public gatherings as part of New Year celebrations. All celebrations on New Year's Eve (December 31) should cease by 10 PM.

Karnataka

The Karnataka Government has imposed Section 144 from 12 noon of 31st December 2020 to 6 am of 1st January 2021 in Bengaluru city.

Tamil Nadu

Public celebrations in restaurants, clubs, pubs, resorts, beach resorts, beaches have been banned across Tamil Nadu on both December 31 and January 1, 2021. So, Marina Beach which is a popular New Year party destination will remain out of bounds. PTI reported. However, there is no curfew in Tamil Nadu. Restaurants, pubs, clubs, and resorts will remain open and function normally, adhering to Covid-19 guidelines.

Uttarakhand

State capital Dehradun has banned public celebrations like parties at hotels, bars and restaurants on December 31 and January 1. Any violation will be punishable under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Diseases Act and other relevant sections of the IPC.

Odisha

In Odisha's Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, authorities have imposed blanket bans on New Year's Eve celebrations. No gatherings will be allowed at pubs, hotels, or restaurants and authorities have asked citizens to bring in the New Year inside their homes.

Punjab

A night curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am to remain in place till January 1. Public gatherings allowed as per Covid-19 guidelines. Mass gatherings at weddings, parties, and other events are banned.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government has banned year-end celebrations, public gatherings. “People should celebrate New Year with family in their house, avoid overcrowding, and do not burst firecrackers. It is necessary for the health of oneself and others. Rajasthan will strictly follow the directions issued by Supreme Court for all the states regarding corona,” chief minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted earlier.

• Night curfew has been imposed from 8 pm to 6 am till January 1.
• Markets to be shut down by 7 pm.
• No New Year party will be organised in public places and bursting firecrackers is banned.

Himachal Pradesh

A night curfew has been imposed in Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu till January 5. There will be no New Year's celebrations in the above-mentioned districts at night.

Manipur

In Manipur, a night curfew from 6:00 pm to 4:00 am has been in place since November. The state government has confirmed that this will remain in effect even on New Year's Eve and the New Year. However, the Manipur administration has allowed New Year celebrations in public places during daytime as long as Covid-19 SOP is adhered to.

Chennai

Resorts located along the Old Mahabalipuram Road and Chennai's East Coast Road will not be allowed to organise new year parties owing to the pandemic. Guests who are staying in the resorts along the above places will be allowed to take these routes until 10 pm on 31st December, provided they provide a valid ID proof. Also, no parties allowed in hotels, clubs farmhouses, or on beaches.

Kolkata

Opposite to all other cities, Kolkata is going to hold a public function on New Year's eve. A theme celebration will be organised wherein we will see ongoing anti-Agri law protests and some on anti-CAA protests. However, the Kolkata Police will be keeping a close eye on the violators of the COVID-19 protocols during the celebration.