New Delhi: The rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country and threat from a more virulent Omicron variant has prompted various states to impose night curfews and restrictions to curb further spread of the virus. Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are some such states that have already imposed night curfews and ban on gatherings ahead of New Year festivities.
The Omicron variant has rapidly spread to 106 countries in less than a month from its discovery and India too is experiencing a surge in cases.
Keep this in mind, Delhi government on Wednesday announced a complete ban on all events and gatherings to celebrate the New Year. Similarly, in Mumbai, it will mandatory for party organisers to have a written permission from authorities if more than 200 people are invited.
Here's a look at guidelines and curbs announced by several state governments:
Delhi
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government has banned all events and gatherings to celebrate New Year. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) directed district magistrates to ensure no Christmas and New Year gathering takes place in the national capital.
Additionally, all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, festival related gatherings and congregations are prohibited throughout NCT of Delhi. Delhi has also announced a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am on Monday.
Patients and pregnant women, people out to buy essential items, and those travelling to or from railway stations, bus stops and airports are exempt from the night curfew.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra, which has recorded highest number of Omicron cases so far, has imposed section 144 in Mumbai till December 31. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued fresh guidelines in the coastal city which said that people (up to 50 percent capacity) are allowed in closed spaces while 25 percent capacity are allowed in open spaces.
It is also mandatory for party organisers to get a written permission from authorities if more than 200 people are invited for an event.
Uttar Pradesh
In the view of rising cases of Coronavirus and a possible threat of Omicron surge, Uttar Pradesh government has announced a state-wide night curfew starting from December 25. The curfew will be in place from 11 pm to 5 am.
Issuing fresh guidelines, the state government also said that not more than 200 people will be allowed in weddings till further notice.
Meanwhile, a number of churches in Uttar Pradesh have restricted the midnight mass for invitees only. The celebrations have been called off at other public places to avoid mass gatherings.
Several clubs and hotels in various parts of the state have also decided not to organise a New Year bash, while malls and a few hotels will go ahead with restricted celebrations in compliance with Covid protocols.
Kerala
The Kerala government has imposed a night curfew starting from December 30 to January 2 from 10 pm to 5 am. No New Year celebrations will be allowed after 10 pm on December 31, said the state government.
Karnataka
The Karnataka government has announced a night curfew in the state for 10 days starting from December 28, between 10 pm and 5 am, till January 7. The Karnataka government has also imposed restrictions on New Year celebrations.
No public events/gatherings to celebrate New Year's Eve shall be allowed anywhere in Bengaluru. People who have prior bookings will be allowed to visit pubs, hotels, and clubs. Restaurants will be allowed to operate on 50 per cent seating capacity and mandatory full vaccination condition.
Madhya Pradesh
Even Madhya Pradesh government has announced a return of night curfew in the state from 11 pm till 5 am from December 24 midnight as a precautionary measure and has advised people to strictly follow Covid guidelines.
So far, no cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Madhya Pradesh. The state government has said that it will take some more measures in case of Coronavirus surge.
Haryana
The Haryana government has made in mandatory for people to be fully vaccinated in order to go to public places such as malls, restaurants, banks and offices from January 1, 2022.
Only fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to travel from bus stands & railway stations.
Gujarat
The Gujarat government has also imposed a night curfew in as many as 8 major cities till December 31. The night curfew will be in place from 1 am till 5 am.
These eight cities are: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and Junagarh.
Odisha
In view of the current Covid situation, Odisha government has also restricted the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The restrictions will come into effect from December 25 till January 2. Social gatherings, rallies, orchestras, celebrations in hotels, clubs, restaurants, parks, etc will be banned across the state during this period.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has imposed night curfew from December 27 in view of the Omicron threat. The night curfew will remain in force from 11 pm to 5 am till further orders, said an order issued by Chief Secretary SS Sandhu. However, essential services like health, movement of vehicles carrying health personnel, ambulances, postal services have been exempted from the ambit of the curfew. Private vehicles can be used to commute for emergencies during the curfew with strict adherence to Covid SOPs and safety protocols.