Highlights:
- Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka impose restrictions on X-mas, NY celebration.
- Mumbai has made it compulsory for party organisers to obtain written permission from officials before holding gathering of more than 200 people.
- While Karnataka has stated that DJs would not be permitted for New Year celebrations.
Christmas and New Year COVID Guidelines: Concerned about the surge in Omicron cases throughout the country, some states have implemented lockdown-like restrictions and prohibited public gatherings. Some states have also released new rules on how to spend Christmas and New Year 2022.
While Karnataka has stated that DJs will not be permitted to perform at New Year celebrations, Mumbai has made it compulsory for party organisers to obtain written permission from authorities for the gatherings, and Delhi has extended the COVID restriction in the UT until New Year. Read the fresh guidelines on New Year and Christmas parties provided by major cities and state governments.
Delhi
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has prolonged current covid restrictions, such as a prohibition on social and cultural events and a limit of 50% seating capacity for bars and restaurants, till December 31 at midnight.
The existing permitted and restricted activities will continue on the nights of December 31 and January 1, according to the DDMA regulation. Political, social, cultural, religious, and other such gatherings have been prohibited.
Maharashtra
The coastal state, which has seen multiple Omicron cases in the last two weeks, has imposed Section 144 in Mumbai till December 31 at midnight. There may be no social gatherings around the city’s beaches or tourist spots.
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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced new, strict guidelines on Tuesday, mandating party organisers to get written permission from officials if more than 200 people are invited. The rules say that in confined spaces, 50% capacity will be permitted by “strictly maintaining a distance of 6×6 feet.” In open areas, however, only 25% capacity with the same distancing norm will be allowed.
The new guidelines were issued just hours after the Union Health Ministry said that 200 cases of the Omicron strain of coronavirus had been found across 12 Indian states and UTs, with Maharashtra and Delhi recording 54 cases of the new strain each. According to government data, 22 of them are from Mumbai, including cases discovered during screening at the financial capital’s international airport.
Karnataka
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai prohibited public gatherings on MG Road and Brigade Road in Bengaluru on Tuesday. However, there will be no restrictions on Christmas celebrations on December 25. DJs will not be permitted for New Year celebrations, as per the chief minister, and these restrictions will be in effect from December 30 to January 2, 2022.
Additionally, pubs and restaurants will only be operating at 50% capacity, and their employees should be mandated to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19. Meanwhile, the state reported 5 new Omicron cases on Monday, bringing the total to 19. State Health Minister K Sudhakar stated that all of the new patients exhibit minor symptoms and have no recent travel history.
