This New Year’s Eve is none like the previous ones. With pandemic restrictions limiting crowds and celebrations, many people is bidding farewell to a year they’d prefer to forget.
This year Indians will face more subdued New Year’s eve celebrations as several states are announcing restrictions and night curfews, including prohibiting gathering of more than five people on the road and on events, shows and programmes.
The Indian government has issued SOPs to keep large gatherings to a minimum as the highly infectious coronavirus strain from United Kingdom has surfaced in the country.
Here’s a state-by-state guide to what you can and can’t do while celebrating New Year’s eve.
Delhi
In Delhi, night curfew has been declared from 11 pm to 6 am. “No New Year celebratory events, congregations and gatherings at public places shall be permitted from 11 pm of December 31 to 6 am of January 1 and 11 pm of January 1 and 6 am of January 2,” the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has declared.
Traffic movement will not be restricted. However no vehicle, both private or public transport, shall be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place post 8 pm till celebrations are over.
To decrease overcrowding on New Year’s Eve Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that exit from Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be allowed after 9 pm onwards.
Maharashtra(Mumbai)
Night curfew from 11pm to 6am has been announced in Mumbai also. Large gatherings have been banned, but there will be no restriction on visiting friends, relatives and public places in groups of four persons. The use of face masks and social distancing will remain mandatory.
The Mumbai Police also warned that drones will be used to keep watch.
Karnataka
In Bengaluru, prohibitory orders banning large gatherings will be imposed from noon today, the city police commissioner has said.
Section 144 imposed from 6 pm in Mangaluru. The government, through guidelines and orders, has prohibited parties, and special events at clubs, pubs, restaurants, and other places that attract people in large numbers without social distancing.
Tamil Nadu
Chennai , too, has barred large gatherings, especially on beaches and roads. The hugely popular Marina beach, Elliot’s beach and other beaches have been shut. Hotels and bars will have to shut by 10 pm. Hotels have been asked to verify credentials of visitors.
However Puducherry permitted celebration on beaches with regular rules. There are no strict restrictions.
West Bengal
Bengal has called for peaceful, disciplined celebrations, saying extremes like night curfews “not perceived to be required”. “No need for extreme steps but urge caution over new year celebrations… Best to maintain a careful middle path,” the state’s Chief Secretary has said.
Chandigarh
In Chandigarh too, there will be no special restrictions. “Review meeting was held; No night curfew in Chandigarh on the New Year Eve as there is a decline in Covid positive cases. Chandigarh police will ensure the existing Covid protocols are followed,” Lieutenant Governor VP Badnore has tweeted.
Punjab
The Amarinder Singh government has decided to lift it from January 1, and advised the public to follow Covid appropriate behaviour. Night curfew is in place today from 10 pm to 5 am in all cities and towns and hotels, restaurants, marriage palaces will be closed by 9.30 pm.The ceiling of 100 people and 250 people in all the indoor and outdoor social gatherings in the state will be applicable only till tonight.
Kerala
Kerala government sets 10pm deadline for New Year’s Eve celebrations . The fresh directive also said that no public gatherings will be allowed for the celebrations.
The government said “lawful action” will be taken under various provisions of law against people who fail to adhere to the rules. In its order, the government has asked district collectors and district police chiefs to ensure compliance.
Gujarat
The night curfew will be strictly enforced after 9 pm today in Ahmeddabad city.
Odisha
Odisah government has totally prohibited zero night and New Years celebrations across the state. However cinema halls, theatres and other entertainment facilities will be opened as part of Unlock 8 from January 1, 2021.
Haryana
In Gurgaon, New Year celebrations will happen as usual with beefing up the security. Around 4,000 police personnel have been deployed in Gurugram on the New Year’s Eve, with special traffic arrangements made to regulate movement of revellers.
Telengana
Liquor shop will remain open till midnight in Telengana and New Year celebrations and parties are allowed till 1 am . Permission has been given to the licence holders of bars, event organisers and In-House licences of Tourism Development Corporation to serve liquor up to 1 am, on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, it said.
