With the new threat of a new Covid strain detected in the UK and many countries isolating the UK during the last week of December, the celebration of the New Year will be tenuous this time around. Although the situation of Covid-19 in India is looking up and the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the new strain has not yet been detected in India, state governments are taking steps to prevent the concentration of end of year. The first case in India was detected in January 2021. In the last 11 months, the Covid-19 curve made several unpredictable turns, shifting its epicenter from Kerala to Maharashtra and Delhi from time to time. But what remained constant is that the number of cases increased after the festivals.
Therefore, states are on the lookout when the holiday week begins.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra has announced a seven-hour night curfew across the state from December 22 to January 5. As the New Year celebration starts at 12pm, indeed, there will be no midnight celebration in Bombay, Goa this year.
> On Christmas Eve, churches in Mumbai will not hold outdoor masses and the number of visitors to the churches will be monitored. Masses are to be held at eight o’clock in the evening.
> No more than 200 people will be allowed at each Mass.
> There will be no changes to the standard operating procedures of Mumbai restaurants.
Tamil Nadu
Public celebrations in restaurants, clubs, pubs, resorts, beaches and beaches have been banned throughout Tamil Nadu on both December 31 and January 1, 2021. Therefore, Marina Beach, which is a popular destination for New Year’s Eve parties will be out of bounds. Still, there is no curfew in Tamil Nadu. Restaurants, pubs, clubs and resorts will remain open and will operate normally following Covid-19 guidelines.
Karnataka
Karnataka has banned mass rallies scheduled without social distancing in clubs, pubs, restaurants or similar places from December 30 to January 2. Clubs, pubs and restaurants cannot host parties, but will normally operate in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines. Karnataka will not impose a night curfew from now on, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has said.
Rajasthan
On the lines of restrictions imposed during Diwali, the government of Rajasthan has banned end-of-year celebrations, the public meeting. “People should celebrate the New Year with their families at home, avoid overcrowding and not explode firecrackers. It is necessary for the health of oneself and others. Rajasthan will strictly follow the instructions issued by the Supreme Court for all states in relation to the crown, ”tweeted by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot earlier.