Ahead of X-mas and New Year's Eve, new guidelines spoil the party mood in Mumbai

Ahead of X-mas and New Year’s Eve, new guidelines spoil the party mood in Mumbai

By Sanjay Maurya

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of Mumbai has issued new guidelines ahead of Christmas and New Year to prevent the spread of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, as states across the nation prepare to deal with it. For individuals wanting to attend or host events in the city, or for those who travel over the festive week, the BMC has made the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory. According to the announcement, the new guidelines will be implemented from December 16 to December 31, 2021.

Quick Glance

List of fresh guidelines in Mumbai

Those involved in the planning of any programme, event, or service involving participants, visitors, clients, etc will require a fully vaccinated certificate.
Only vaccinated people will work in stores, malls, and events.
Only persons who have been properly vaccinated will be allowed to travel by public transportation.
Anyone traveling to Maharashtra must have a completely vaccinated certificate or a negative RT-PCR test with a 72-hour validity period.
Gathering with a 50% capacity will be permitted.
Churches should accept all COVID-19-compliant activities.
Any assembly of more than 1,000 individuals must be reported to local emergency management officials.

With the first wave in mind, the BMC imposed restrictions over Christmas and New Year’s Eve last year as well.

Further, Mumbai civic head IS Chahal stated that residents in the city must avoid crowding in hotels, restaurants, movies, and malls and that attendance restrictions for weddings and other celebrations must be rigorously adhered to. The BMC chairman stated that the new variant is fast spreading over the world, placing pressure on the health system and that despite repeated calls by the government and administration to avert a possible third wave, guidelines are not being followed effectively in most regions.

He went on to say that the outbreak situation in the city was currently under control, thanks to public participation as well as great management and timeliness of the vaccine push.

On 17^th December 2021, Maharashtra reported eight additional cases of Omicron variant, bringing the total number of such cases in the state to 48. According to the latest information from the National Institute of Virology, six of the eight new cases were from Pune, one from Mumbai, and another from Kalyan-Dombivli (satellite towns near Mumbai). The eight new Omicron patients were all men between the ages of 29 and 45.