No ban on New Year bash in Pondy, but restrictions put on booze sale

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court allowed the territorial administration of Puducherry to permit New Year celebrations but directed it to stop the sale of liquor at 10 pm on December 31. Also, those who have not got both doses of the vaccine would not be allowed to take part, including occupying hotel rooms there.

A special division bench comprising Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy issued the interim injunction while hearing a plea by GA Jagannathan, former panchayat president of Karikalampakkam in Puducherry, who prayed for a direction to the UT administration to restrict all celebrations between December 31 and January 1.

The bench recalled the shortage of beds, medical oxygen and other facilities during the first and second wave of COVID, and lives lost, including that of Corona Warriors. “Therefore, the court is of the opinion that the UT administration should not allow the sale of liquor between 10 pm and 1 am on the night from December 31 to January 1,” the bench held. The restriction will be applicable to liquor outlets, bars and hotels.

The judges also directed the administration not to allow people who have not been fully vaccinated. “No hotel should accommodate people who have not vaccinated twice. The police shall verify the vaccination certificate of people thronging Puducherry on December 31. The hotels should take only 50 per cent of occupancy for New Year celebrations. Police should carry sufficient numbers of breath inhalers to prevent the drunk driving accidents,” the bench added.

Appearing for the administration, N

Mala said it has taken stringent measures to contain the spread of COVID during the celebration. During a high-level meeting chaired by the District Collector on Tuesday, a 16-point protocol was drawn up to prevent the spread of the virus during the revelry, the counsel said.

However, the judges rejected it noting the petitioner’s submission two people were tested positive for omicron variant. The court also asked celebrities visiting Puducherry to stay away from any New Year celebration in public places, as it would lead to crowd gathering there.