Updated: December 23, 2020 8:02:50 am
The Maharashtra government announced on Monday a nightly curfew from Tuesday to January 5 to ensure there is no spike in Covid-19 cases during Christmas and New Years Eve, when many people celebrate on the weekends. roads. (Figurative)
In their attempt to enforce the night curfew from Tuesday in full force, Mumbai police will patrol the streets at night and seize vehicles, as they used to do in the first months of the shutdown. The police will also ensure that no store or establishment operates beyond government-stipulated time limits.
Mumbai police spokesman DCP S Chaitanya said: “There will be strict enforcement of night curfew orders… orders will be issued under Section 144 (of CrPC) soon. In addition, local police station personnel will be on the roads at night in full force starting Tuesday. The zonal DCPs have also asked to be on the streets in their respective areas at night ”.
The Maharashtra government announced on Monday a night curfew from Tuesday to January 5 to ensure there are no spikes in Covid-19 cases during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when many people celebrate on the roads.
A senior officer said: “There will be more Nakabandis on the roads. Unless someone has an essential service pass, if people are seen on the roads after 11 p.m. and before 6 a.m., their vehicles will be impounded. We don’t want people to fill the roads at night and we ask them to celebrate at home. “
Another factor that has led to the overnight curfew has been the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in countries like the United Kingdom due to a new strain of coronavirus.
An IPS official said: “While there will be no unnecessary use of force, we will be firm in the implementation of these orders. It is essential that people realize that measures are being taken with their own safety in mind ”.
As the curfew begins at 11 p.m., hotels will greet the New Year at 10:30 p.m.
Mumbai: A day after the state government announced a nightly curfew between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. until January 5, hotels and restaurants in Mumbai said on Tuesday they would usher in the New Year for an hour and a half before.
The West Indian Restaurant and Hotel Association (HRAWI) has asked its members not to allow the decision to disrupt the industry by announcing the year before 10:30 pm. The association said the celebrations will be lined up with Thailand virtually to start the year early.
After the government’s announcement on Monday, many in the hotel sector had said the decision would affect the industry, which has already suffered financial losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Mumbai will continue to celebrate although a little earlier… we will ensure that all regulations and security measures are adhered to and those who want to celebrate the New Year will also get that experience,” said Sherry Bhatia, president of the association.
Before the pandemic, hotels and restaurants in the city typically hosted events on New Year’s Eve and were allowed to stay open until the wee hours of the morning.
Before the curfew was imposed, hotels were allowed to stay open until 11:30 p.m.
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