In the wake of the rising cases of Covid-19 and the increasing threat of the new coronavirus variant Omicron, the Chennai police have brought in new restrictions ahead of the New Year celebrations.
Tamil Nadu health minister Ma Subramanian said that restrictions have been enforced in public places and hotels amid the Omicron scare. The Tamil Nadu government has also issued new guidelines banning New Year celebrations on beaches and public places across the state.
Chennai Police has put restrictions on New Year’s celebrations in hotels and public places. On 31st December, CM MK Stalin will hold a review meeting on the COVID19 situation in the State: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian in Chennai
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2021
The Chennai police requested people not to gather in public places and beaches on New Year’s eve on December 31. According to the new guidelines, the administration has banned New Year celebrations in farmhouses, clubs, resorts and people have been asked to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines. The police said that there will be checkpoints at several places in the city as well as patrolling.
What’s allowed and what’s not
-Residents have been asked not to gather on any of the beaches, such as Marina, Besant Nagar, Neelankarai and the East Coast Road.
-There will be strict prohibition of vehicular movement on Marina Beach. Vehicles will not be allowed to move from the War Memorial to Gandhi Statue, Kamaraj Road and Besant Nagar Elliots Beach Road from 9pm onwards.
-No New Year celebrations will be allowed on RK Salai , Rajaji Salai, Kamarajar Salai, Anna Salai, GST Road and other arterial roads.
-The resorts, clubs, farmhouses and convention centres are not allowed to hold New Year celebrations. DJ programmes, concerts, music events and dance parties are also not allowed.
-As per the new guidelines, the residents of apartments and villas have been prohibited from congregating and holding New Year celebrations.
-Parking of vehicles near the beaches has been prohibited. Road rage by motorists will also face severe punishment.
-People have been advised not to indulge in drunk driving and are warned of arrest and confiscation of vehicles.
-The devotees must follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) issued by the Tamil Nadu government at all religious places. The authorities have been asked to ensure that all devotees wear masks and follow social distancing norms.
-All devotees must be allowed to enter places of worship only after being tested with infrared and thermal scanners.
Chennai logs 194 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours
Tamil Nadu witnessed a major hike in the Covid-19 cases on Tuesday with 619 fresh coronavirus infections. Chennai remained the major contributor to Covid-19 cases as the city reported 194 infections. The state recorded six more deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the tally to 36,750.
Among those who tested positive for the virus were two travellers each from West Bengal and Qatar. Three returnees from the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and New Delhi also tested positive.
Subramanian was quoted by the Mint as saying that the city recorded 23,000 Covid tests in the last 24 hours, adding that testing would be rammed up in coming days. He said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will chair a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the state.
According to the health department, in the last 24 hours, a total of 638 people were discharged, taking the cumulative tally to 27,01,974 and the active cases stood at 6,537.
Omicron tally stands at 45
The health minister told ANI that a total of 45 people have been found infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus in the state. He said that all these patients are asymptomatic and had received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
He appealed to people to avoid New Year celebrations as the possibility of the spread of infections remains.
Stating that fewer people wear masks while travelling in metros, he urged people to wear masks while stepping out of their houses and follow physical distancing norms.
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Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/chennai/story/planning-celebrate-new-year-chennai-check-covid-guidelines-restrictions-city-1893802-2021-12-29
