Odisha govt imposes restrictions for Christmas, New Year celebrations

To avoid mass gatherings of people during Christmas and New Year, the Odisha government on Friday completely banned New Year's Eve celebration across the state between December 25, 2021 and January 2, 2022.

Bhubaneswar: To avoid mass gatherings of people during Christmas and New Year, the Odisha government on Friday completely banned New Year's Eve celebration across the state between December 25, 2021 and January 2, 2022.

The move comes amid a rise in Omicron infections across the country.

Issuing fresh guidelines, the state government said New Year's Eve celebrations in venues such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, parks, convention halls and Kalyan Mandaps have been completely banned across the state.

Odisha Chief Secretary S.C. Mahapatra on Friday issued the order.

As per the order, Christmas celebrations will be limited to the churches with participation of a maximum of 50 persons.

Apart from this, strict surveillance will be conducted to keep in check the crowds in public places.

Only marriage celebrations have been allowed to go on during the aforementioned period.