Updated: December 30, 2020 10:59:23 pm
The Indian Express spoke with Mumbai Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Vishwas Nangre-Patil to clarify things on what is allowed and what is restricted in Mumbai for New Years Eve.
This is what you need to know:
Are house parties / deck parties allowed on New Years Eve even after 11pm?
Yes, meetings are allowed later than 11pm as long as there are small groups with a limited number of people who can maintain social distancing. There is no hard and fast limit to the number of people you can meet with; the guidelines are based on the space available to you.
Therefore, as long as your home allows all guests to maintain the prescribed 6-foot distance without crowding or physical contact, and the gathering ensures that the masks remain on, it is allowed. If the police suspect overcrowding or someone complains of noise and other nuisance, action will be taken.
Boats, banquet halls, etc. are not allowed. for parties on December 31 at night.
Can people use their cars / bikes on New Years Eve to travel after 11pm?
Yes, as long as there is a maximum of four people in the car and two people on a bike, you can ride even after 11pm. But be prepared for the nakabandis all over the city, where they will ask you where you are going.
Along with the passenger limits, the police will also ensure that no one is driving drunk, speeding or indulging in any unruly behavior.
Will restaurants, pubs and bars be allowed to stay open? Can you order?
No, due to closure measures, these venues will be closed to the public. Essential services, however, will continue as usual. Which means that food delivery will be allowed through platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, as well as directly from restaurants.
Will public transportation work?
There will be no restrictions on public transportation. If you hire a taxi, ola or uber, there can be four people in the vehicle, including the driver. However, unlike in previous years, there will be no special trains and buses after midnight to help people get home.
Can people go to Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chowapatty, which usually sees crowds on New Years Eve?
The government is discouraging any gathering in public places. So as long as people are in small groups and there is enough space to maintain social distancing, it is unlikely that the police will impose restrictions. Only once these venues start to fill up will they restrict entry and ask the crowds to fork out.
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What about people who want to drive to places around Mumbai like Lonavala, Khandala?
These areas will be under the jurisdiction of other local law enforcement units, so you should check with them. However, when it comes to people returning to or leaving Mumbai city limits, as long as there are four or fewer people in a vehicle, they will be allowed to proceed.
What are the measures in place to reduce drunk driving in the absence of breathalyzer tests?
Police will be very attentive to drunk drivers, despite COVID-19 preventing them from using breathalyzers. There will be specialized units at city checkpoints that will transport drunk-looking drivers to nearby hospitals for blood tests.
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