Mumbai night curfew runs until January 5.
Bombay:
All essential activities, businesses and even travel with certain conditions will be allowed during the night curfew in Mumbai, police said Wednesday, listing the rules for renewed restrictions in the country’s financial capital.
“Mumbaikars, the curfew is for your safety and health and the restrictions are only for the gathering of 5 or more people from 11pm to 6am. All night shift business activities will be allowed except establishments used for entertainment / recreational activities (eg: pubs, restaurants, theaters, etc.). Must close at 11:00 p.m. All essential services are allowed. People may travel in 2 and 4-wheel vehicles (no more than 4 people in a 4-wheeler) You can even take a walk or drive outside during curfew hours but not in a group of more than 5 or more people, “police said.
“Remember your masks, remember to keep your distance, remember, you owe yourself another good year and a great life,” they added.
Maharashtra imposed a nightly curfew in cities like Mumbai due to fears over Britain’s new strain of coronavirus, the state government said on Tuesday. India has yet to confirm any cases of the new strain.
Additionally, Mumbai airport said on Tuesday that all air passengers from anywhere in Europe or the Middle East will have to go into institutional quarantine upon arrival and then be screened.
The announcements come even as the daily number of new coronavirus infections has fallen dramatically in India in recent weeks, including in Maharashtra, whose capital Mumbai is home to one of the largest slums in Asia.
The Maharashtra government said the night curfew that begins Tuesday will last until January 5.
The restrictions will curb New Year celebrations in Mumbai and other parts of the state of around 12 million people, which has seen the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in India.
On Monday, India joined other countries in suspending all flights from Great Britain, home to a large Indian community, from Tuesday night to December 31.
India has reported the second highest number of coronavirus infections in the world after the United States and surpassed the 1 crore mark for cases last week. It has recorded more than 1.46 lakh deaths.
The Indian government expects to begin vaccinating the population early next year, including some 30 million people from high-risk groups and health workers.
India has yet to approve any vaccines, but several drug manufacturers have applied for authorization, including AstraZeneca, which has partnered with the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.
(With contributions from AFP)
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