With Maharashtra reporting a total of 108 Omicron cases over the last few days and witnessing an upward trend of Covid-19 cases over the past week, as more than 1,000 positive cases were registered for the first time in the last two months, the government has tightened restrictions. In Mumbai, the New Year celebrations in closed or open spaced have been banned.

In a statement, Mumbai municipal commissioner I.S. Chahal directed Friday night that “no New Year celebration programme/function/gathering /party/activity or happening in any closed or open space shall be allowed in municipal limits of Greater Mumbai. This order shall come into force from 00.00 hours of 25th December 2021 till further orders by superseding the above reference Order no.1.”

The state also enforced further restrictions in additions to the ones imposed vide its orders dated 27 November and the circular dated December 23:
 
* Restaurants, gyms, spas, cinema halls, theatres to operate at 50% of the capacity as declared by licensing/permitting authority. These establishments shall necessarily and prominently declare their full capacity at per their licence permission as well as 50% of their capacity.

* Assembly of more than 5 people not allowed between 9 pm to 6 am throughout the state at all public places

* Only 100 people allowed for marriages in enclosed spaces like banquets, marriage halls and not more than 250 or 25% (whichever is less) persons allowed in open sky spaces.

* Only 100 people allowed for social political and religious functions and gathering in closed spaces and 250 or 25% (whichever is less) allowed in open to sky spaces.

* For all other functions in closed spaces attended should not exceed 50% of the capacity as declared by licensing/permitting authority where seating is fixed and 25% capacity of open spaces as declared by licensing/ permitting authority is open to sky spaces.  

* In the case of sports events and competitions, spectators are not  to exceed more than 25% of the seating capacity of the venue.

For any other gathering, DDMA will be the deciding authority.   

“In case of any activity covered in this order if DDMA is of the opinion that stricter restrictions are warranted due to specific local situation, DDMA may promulgate such stricter restrictions over and above the restrictions contained herein In such situation, DDMA must give adequate public notice before making such stricter restrictions applicable,” says the order signed by the chief secretary, Debashish Chakrabarty, which came into effect Friday-Saturday midnight.