Amid rising COVID 19 and Omicron Variant cases, the Maharashtra Government on Wednesday issued guidelines for a low-key celebration of New Year on December 31 and January 1. The government has specifically asked the Mumbaikars to avoid crowding and gathering at famous spots of Mumbai like Gateway of India, Marine Lines, Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu Chowpatty and other places. Further, the citizens should avoid large gatherings at beaches, gardens and on the roads on the eve of new year and they should focus on social distancing, use of masks and sanitizer.
The government has called upon the citizens to celebrate the new year at homes instead of going out. It has reminded the citizens that the government has already prohibited gatherings of more than 5 people between 9 pm and 6 am. The gathering of 50% is permissible in closed halls and 25% in open spaces.
The government has asked the citizens to maintain social distancing, use of face masks and sanitizer. It has been advised that the senior citizens above 60 years and children below 10 years should avoid going out of their homes in view of security and health reasons.
The government has banned religious and cultural programmes and processions to welcome the new year. Further, on the first day of the new year, the citizens should not gather in a large number but follow social distancing.
The government has asked the citizens not to bust firecrackers and strictly follow pollution control norms.
The government’s guidelines came on a day when Mumbai on Wednesday recorded a massive surge in COVID-19 cases with more than 2500 fresh infections in a single day. The city today reported 2510 covid cases which is the highest one-day surge in the city since May.
