New Year's Eve In Covid-19 Times: Masks are a must, avoid gatherings say experts
New Year's Eve 2020: Bidding good-bye to 2020 and ringing in New Year 2021, amid the Covid-19 pandemic will need a lot of caution. We can only enjoy the New Year if we are healthy. The centre and state governments have issued guidelines for people and it's best to follow them if we are stepping out of home. The Centre on Monday noted that while there has been a steady decline in the case load in India, there is a need for surveillance, containment and caution after the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the UK. In a statement, the Home Ministry said, it has issued fresh guidelines that will remain in force till January 31. States and union territories have been asked to keep a strict vigil to prevent rise in Covid cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter months. The UK variant has travelled to several other countries and also to India; this variant may have its own run and we've to be very careful...," Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), Niti Aayog said on Tuesday.
New Year's Eve: Key guidelines
- Containment zones (depending on cases) continue to be demarcated carefully and rules have to be strictly followed: Home Ministry
- States and Union Territories can impose local restrictions like night curfew to check the spread of Covid-19
- A maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity, gathering of not more than 200 people have been allowed keeping in mind the size of the space
- Based on assessment of the situation, the States may reduce the number of people at gatherings
- There is no restriction on the inter-state and intra-state travel and separate permission or e-permit will not be required
- The local police and administrative bodies will be responsible for ensuring that rules are strictly followed
- Surveillance for Influenza-like infections (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases shall be carried out in health facilities, mobile units or in fever clinics
New Year's Eve: Maharashtra Covid-19 guidelines
- Night curfew - 11 pm to 6 am - in place up to January 5, 2021
- The state government has appealed that the elderly (above 60) and children (below 10) must avoid stepping out of home on New Year's Eve
- Religious or cultural gatherings and programmes will not be allowed
New Year's Eve: Karnataka Covid-19 guidelines
- No New Year celebrations in public places
- Section 144 would be imposed across the city from 6 pm on December 31 till 6 am on January 1: Bengaluru Police
New Year's Eve: Tamil Nadu Covid-19 guidelines
- No public celebrations in pubs, resorts, beaches, and restaurants across the state on December 31 and January 1
- Restaurants will be open but must follow guidelines