Got Christmas and New Year party plans? Check these state-imposed restrictions to fight Omicron

New Delhi: Amid the Omicron scare and surge in cases in various parts of the country, several states and union territories have imposed fresh restrictions to fight against the new covid-19 variant.

If you are planning to go out and have a party, then you should check out what’s allowed and what’s not in your State.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government issued new COVID-19 guidelines prohibiting gathering of more than five persons in public places from 9 pm-6 am, among other such measures, applicable from the intervening night of December 24-25.

“Gathering of more than five persons in public places across the state prohibited from 9 pm-6 am, only 100 people allowed in indoor weddings and not more than 250 in outdoor weddings,” reads the order.

Capacity for various functions and venues has also been limited to a certain number. The number of attendees in a closed hall for a wedding ceremony should not be more than 100 at a time and in open space, this number should not be more than 250 or 25 per cent of the capacity of this space whichever is less.

For other social, political, religious events also the number of attendees should not be more than 100 and in open space this number should not be more than 250 or 25 per cent of the capacity of this space whichever is less.

Maharashtra government also released Christmas-specific guidelines to be observed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“People will be allowed to attend church up to 50 per cent of the available seating capacity in the church for Christmas. Special care should be taken to ensure that the church is not crowded in any way and that Social Distancing is maintained and that masks and sanitizers are used. Disinfection should also be arranged in the church,” says the release.

Delhi

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) issued orders to all District Magistrates and District Deputy Commissioners of Police to ensure that no cultural event, gatherings, and congregations are taking place for celebrating Christmas or New Year in Delhi.

The DDMA has also issued orders to enforce the ‘No Mask, No Entry’ rule at shops and workplaces. The statement advised the residents to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

The DDMA has asked officials to conduct surprise checks and take strict penal action against violators as per the law.

Haryana

Haryana government imposed a night curfew from 11 pm till 5 am from Friday.

According to Chief Minister’s Office, the gatherings of more than 200 persons in public places and events have been barred.

In order to tackle the transmission of the infection, the state government has also barred people, who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, from public places in the state after January 1.

At least 2.61 lakh people in Haryana got vaccinated on December 23, a day after the Haryana government made it mandatory for everybody to be fully vaccinated to enter shopping malls, offices, banks, fuel stations etc.

Gujarat

The Gujarat Government on Friday announced night curfew in eight cities from Saturday.

The night curfew will be imposed daily from 11 pm to 5 am in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar, and Junagadh.

“Night curfew to be in force from 11 pm to 5 am daily in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar and Junagadh from 25th December, in view of current COVID-19 situation,” said Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to impose a night curfew from December 25 following COVID-19 concerns in the country. As per the government’s directives, a night curfew will be put in place from December 25 from 11 pm-5 am. No more than 200 people will be allowed at weddings, as per the order.

RTPCR testing should be done at airports, railway stations, and bus stations. Appreciating the role of Integrated COVID-19 Command Center (ICCC) and Monitoring Committees in COVID management, the CM said that monitoring committees in villages and urban wards should be reactivated so that tracing, testing and treatment can be done at the earliest. ICCC is to be operated 24×7, as per the order.

Madhya Pradesh

In view of COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh, the state government imposed a night curfew.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “In view of COVID-19 cases, Madhya Pradesh govt imposes night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am from today till further orders.”

Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that the new year celebrations at public places will take place in a restricted manner, with celebrations allowed in restaurants and clubs with 50 per cent seating capacity and mandatory full vaccination.

No special events, Disk Jockeys (DJ) will be allowed in the celebrations. The restrictions will be in effect from December 30 till January 2.

“We have restricted public celebration of the new year, however, celebrations are permitted in clubs and restaurants with 50 per cent seating capacity and without any special event like DJ. Full vaccination is mandatory. These restrictions will be in effect from December 30 till January 1,” Bommai told ANI.