The Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday ordered the imposition of night curfew in the national capital on December 31 and January 1 from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. The decision has been taken to contain the spread of the coronavirus spread.
Delhi‘s markets, malls, and other places to celebrate New Year evening and the first day of the year will have to return home before 11 p.m. However, the restriction will not be applicable on inter-state travel. People will be allowed to enter the city from other states.
It has been decided to impose a night curfew in the national capital to avoid congestion on the streets of Delhi on December 31.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in its order, "This order has been issued due to the crowds celebrating the New Year. There is a danger of coronavirus infection further spreading due to increased crowd. According to this, more than five people at one time cannot assemble at a public place. New Year celebrations will not be allowed in any public place in Delhi. Places like restaurants, etc., which have a licence, will not come under the purview of a public place."
In Bengaluru, prohibitory orders banning large gatherings will be imposed from noon today, the city police commissioner has said.
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. Pondicherry has permitted celebration on beaches with regular rules.
Bengal has called for peaceful, disciplined celebrations, saying extremes like night curfews "not perceived to be required". "No need for extreme steps but urges caution over New Year celebrations... Best to maintain a careful middle path," the state's Chief Secretary has said.
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 @DgpChdPolice to ensure the existing Covid protocols, opening &closing of hotels, restaurants etc. should be strictly enforced & the Parties be over in time," Lieutenant Governor VP Bandore has tweeted.
According to the Delhi government, arrangements are being made to provide vaccines to the people of Delhi. Three types of people will be given vaccine on a priority basis. The first among these are the health workers, frontline workers and those above 50 years of age or have comorbidities.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has given the information about the corona vaccine and its storage. According to the Chief Minister, there are about 51 lakh people in Delhi who will be vaccinated on priority. For this 1.02 crore doses are needed. At present, the Delhi government has the capacity to store 74 lakh doses.
The storage capacity of the corona vaccine will also be increased to make it available to all the Delhiites at the earliest. According to the Chief Minister, in the next few days the storage capacity of the vaccine will be increased to 15 million doses.