States limit festivities as cases rise
SO FAR, 65 OMICRON CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM MAHARASHTRA, WHICH IS HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY FOLLOWED BY 57 IN DELHI
NEW DELHI: With cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus starting to rise in different parts of the country, several states have started imposing restrictions on Christmas and New Year celebrations.
On Wednesday, as Omicron tally in India rose to 263, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority directed district magistrates to ensure that there are no gatherings in public places on Christmas and New Year in the Capital.
The same day, the Karnataka government asked district health authorities to enhance surveillance and designate contract tracers and quarantine observers. The order by state’s principal secretary health, TK Anil Kumar, said 19 cases of Omicron have been detected in the state since December 2, when country’s two first Omicron cases were reported from Bengaluru. He said primary and secondary contacts would have to be identified within 24 hours of a person testing Covid positive.
On Tuesday, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that New Year celebrations at public places will take place in a restricted manner, with celebrations allowed in restaurants and clubs with 50% seating capacity, and for people who have got both shots of the vaccine. The restrictions will be in effect from December 30 to January 2. Christmas prayers will be allowed only inside the Church premises, and no prayers in public places will be allowed, a government order added.
“We had a meeting with experts regarding the new year celebrations... On their recommendation, the government decided to prohibit mass gatherings in the city and other public places in the state. We are banning mass gatherings at open places,” Bommai said.
In Maharashtra, the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) issued new guidelines saying that up to 50% capacity is allowed in closed spaces and 25% capacity are allowed in open spaces. Also, written permission will be required to hold events for assembly of more than 200 people. The guidelines clearly stated that all the violators will be punished under sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Disaster Management Act, 2005.
So far, 65 Omicron cases have been reported from Maharashtra, which is highest for any state in
India followed by 57 in Delhi.
To be sure, more than half of the Omicron cases (35) have been discharged. Of those still infected, six have mild symptoms and rest are asymptomatic, according to the Maharashtra health department.
Gujarat, which has so far reported 23 Omicron cases, has imposed night curfew till December 31 and has allowed gyms and restaurants to operate with 75% capacity. Uttar Pradesh has extended imposition of section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure till December 31 except functions held with permission of district authorities. Although the Bihar government has not announced any new restrictions, it has empowered district magistrates to issue guidelines for the festive season.
The Tamil Nadu government on December 14 imposed a ban on New Year celebrations in all beaches in Chennai, saying no entry and gatherings will be allowed on December 31 and January 1.