Subdued new year bash: Night curfew in Delhi, curbs in Bengaluru

Several states have imposed restrictions on New Year’s celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Delhi and Mumbai night curfews have been imposed, while in Bengaluru prohibitory orders are in place from 12 noon on Thursday (December 31).

Here’s all you need to know about restrictions in various states for New Year’s Eve.

Delhi

In an order issued by Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, the night curfew will be imposed from 11 pm to 6 am on December 31, January 1 and 2. Not more than five people will be allowed to assemble at public places in Delhi during night curfew to avoid large gatherings. However, there will be no restriction on interstate movement of people and goods during night curfew.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

The Tamil Nadu government has banned New Year revelries on beaches, hotels, clubs and resorts on the night of December 31 and January 1, 2021. There will be no entry to the beaches on these days, and no midnight revelries would be allowed on beach roads, restaurants, hotels, clubs, resorts including beach resorts, and similar places on New Year’s Eve and the following day, according to an official statement.

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Kolkata (West Bengal)

The Kolkata Police have taken measures to ensure that all COVID-19 safety protocols are maintained and there is no large gathering for celebrating the New Year eve, as ordered by the Calcutta High Court to check a spike in infections, an officer said. Security has been beefed up in and around the city to avoid any untoward incident on that day, he said.

“We have taken all measures to ensure that there is no large gathering in and around the city during the New Year’s Eve tomorrow. We have deployed senior officers in the rank of deputy commissioners in Park Street, Esplanade and other areas where people usually gather on the occasion,” the IPS officer said on Wednesday.

Mumbai (Maharashtra)

A night curfew is in place in Mumbai, prohibiting gathering of five or more persons between 11 pm and 6 am, Mumbai Police said. Gatherings in restaurants, bars and pubs will not be allowed post-11 pm, police said, adding loudspeaker/DJ music beyond permissible decibel limit and fireworks are also prohibited.

Violators of the prohibitory order issued under section 144 of the CrPC would face action under section 188 (disobeying the order of public servant) of the IPC and section 51 of the National Disaster Management Act, a police official said.

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Bengaluru (Karnataka)

Given the prevailing COVID-19 situation and the emergence of a new strain of the virus abroad, certain restrictions shall be imposed during the new year celebrations. Section 144 will be imposed across Bengaluru from 12 PM on December 31 to 6 AM, January 1, 2021. Any form of gatherings in public places, main roads, open areas, parks, grounds for the purpose of New Year celebrations is strictly prohibited. In-house celebrations in residential complexes and private clubs may be held for the residents and members only, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said.

‘No-Man Zones’ will be created at MG Road, Church Street, Brigade Road, Koramangala, and Indiranagar. Only those who have booked in advance will be allowed in pubs & restaurants. Unnecessary travelling, bike wheeling, and loitering on the streets are not allowed, he added.

Odisha

The state government in an order for January under Unlock 8, said, “Usually people in large numbers congregate in hotels, restaurants, clubs, parks and other public places on 31st December and 1st January for zero night celebration/ welcome New year/ similar function on the eve of new year.

“Such congregations have large potential for spread of COVID-19 infection, the order said, adding that the state government has directed in public interest to prohibit such activities on December 31 and January 1, 2021.”

Puducherry

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said festivities in hotels and at beaches in Puducherry would be held in strict adherence to COVID-19 safety norms, saying the French culture in Puducherry was intertwined with such celebrations.

The celebrations would be held on the Beach Road and in hotels and restaurants here in a restricted manner as decided recently by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) of which he is the chairman, the chief minister said.

Punjab

Night curfew, from 10 pm to 5 am, is in place in the state, and it will be lifted on January 1. An official spokesperson said restrictions regarding the night curfew in all cities and towns will remain until December 31. These restrictions will no longer be applicable from January 1 due to recent downtrend in COVID-19 cases, he said. The night curfew was reimposed in Punjab from December 1. The government had also restricted the number of people at indoor and outdoor gatherings up to 100 and 250, respectively.

Rajasthan

Night curfew will be in place in the state from 8 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January in all cities in Rajasthan which have a population of more than 1 lakh, according to reports.

Hyderabad (Telangana)

Hyderabad Police have banned large gatherings in hotels, resorts, restaurants, gate communities, farm houses, ground, and other places, and also imposed other restrictions. All flyovers in the city, except one – Begumpet, will be closed from 10 pm on December 31 to 5 am on January 1. According to reports, people are upset over banning of New Year parties.

(With inputs from PTI)