Amid Omicron scare, Section 144 imposed in Mumbai for two days

New Delhi: In light of rising concerns over the spread of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron and in a bid to prevent large gatherings has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrCP) for December 11 and 12, prohibiting rallies, morchas, processions etc of persons and vehicles.

The violators of the order will be punished under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Maharashtra reported seven new cases of Omicron on Friday including in a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler. Of the seven cases, three were reported in Mumbai, four from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

Maharashtra: Section 144 CrPC imposed in Mumbai on 11th and 12th December, in wake of #Omicron cases in the state. Rallies/morchas/processions etc of either persons or vehicles prohibited.

The state has a total of 17 Omicron cases so far.

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2021

Three men, aged 48, 25 and 37 had returned from Tanzania, the UK and South Africa, respectively, while four other patients are the contacts of Nigerian women, who had been infected with the new variant on December 6.

Of the seven, four are asymptomatic while three display mild symptoms. Of these new cases, four are fully vaccinated, one has been administered with a single dose against COVID-19 and one is unvaccinated. The toddler is not eligible for vaccination.

Maharashtra has so far reported a total of 17 Omicron cases, said the health department.

On November 26, the WHO named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, which has been detected in South Africa, as ‘Omicron’. The WHO has classified Omicron as a ‘variant of concern’.