Mumbai: In the wake of the spread of the Omicron form of COVID-19, the Mumbai Police has banned New Year celebrations and gatherings in any closed or open space, including hotels and restaurants. An official gave this information on Thursday. An order to this effect was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) S Chaitanya on Wednesday under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The order will be effective from Thursday till January 7, 2022, the official said.
The police order banned New Year celebrations, events and gatherings in any closed or open space, including hotels, restaurants, banquet halls, bars, pubs, orchestras, resorts, clubs and rooftops of buildings. The order said that trains, buses and private cars can ply as per the extant guidelines and rules.
The order said that the risk of infection in Mumbai has increased after the increase in the cases of COVID-19 and the appearance of the oomicron form. It said that the prohibitory orders have been issued to prevent danger to human life, to protect the health and safety of the people and to reduce the spread of the virus.
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The order said that a person violating the rules would be liable to punishment under section 188 (disobedience to order issued by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code as well as provisions of the Epidemic Act and the Disaster Management Act. On Wednesday, 2,510 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Mumbai, which is the highest number of cases since May 8. On Wednesday, 85 new cases of Omicron were reported in Maharashtra, taking the total number of cases of this type in the state to 252.
State minister Aaditya Thackeray urged people to exercise extreme caution in the wake of the sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai and stressed on getting immunizations and widespread use of masks. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday expressed concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, terming it as an “alarming” situation and said strict measures would be taken to contain the spread of the infection. (agency)