Mumbai (Maharashtra): In view of the rising COVID-19 casesb especially in Maharashtra, the Mumbai Police on Thursday has imposed Section 144 in the city starting from today till January 7.
As per the new COVID-19 restrictions, the New Year's celebrations, parties in any closed or open space including restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, resorts and clubs will be completely banned from December 30 to January 7.
"The order shall come into the force, in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai from 00:00 Hrs of 30th December 2021 and will remain in force till 24:00 Hrs of 7th January 2022, unless withdrawn earlier," the order reads.
"Any person contravening this order shall be punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code 1860 in addition to the penal provision under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and National Disaster Management Act 2005 and other legal provisions as applicable," said Chaitanya S, Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Under the new restrictions, any event, if at all necessary, should be conducted only with prior permission. Permitted events should be held in a closed space with 50 percent of its total capacity, whereas for an open space event, only 25 percent capacity is permitted. The notice further appeals the masses not to crowd the beaches, gardens and streets or the famous tourist places in the city like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu Chowpatty among others.
The masses are requested to avoid new year celebrations, and the bursting of firecrackers is also banned. The order also appeals elders over the age of 60 and children below the age of 10 from getting out of their homes.
Meanwhile, Mumbai on Wednesday reported 2,510 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, informed the state health bulletin.
Mumbai has 8,060 active cases and the recovery rate stands at 97 per cent. Presently, 45 buildings have been sealed in Mumbai.
Maharashtra cabinet minister Aditya Thackeray chaired a meeting at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters amid the rising concerns regarding the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also read: Delhi preparing for Amber Alert, bed occupancy is the key
