Revellers plan muted New Year’s Eve as Covid-19 plays spoilsport

BHUBANESWAR: With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put a ban on the celebrations at night.
This year, celebrations have been mostly indoors. Many are planning to host terrace or house parties to avoid year-end gatherings in hotels and pubs. With the apprehension of a second wave of coronavirus infections looming large, revellers have started taking safety measures seriously and are planning for a muted New Year bash.
“It has been a long fight against the virus. We had to face so much for an unknown disease. After so much struggle, things have finally started looking up and are becoming normal. There is no place for complacency. It can make things critical again,” said Tapaswini Rana, an engineering student.
“We don’t want to take any chances and have not made big plans for the New Year. We may arrange a terrace party in our building to celebrate it in a smallest way possible with out loved ones,” added Rana.
The Hotels and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has also decided not to host any New Year’s party or gathering to keep crowds at bay. The authorities in major cities have decided not to allow more than 100 people at a party. Hoteliers said it wouldn’t be viable for them to arrange parties on a small-scale.
“As part of our social responsibility, all hotels and restaurants have decided not to host parties. Though the dine-in option will remain for open for the visitors, there will be no celebrations. We have to be careful about the safety of our staff and family members apart from the visitors. With the fear of a second wave of the virus, we are going to take all the precautions,” said Srinibas Subudhi, secretary of HRAO.
Every year, people ring in the New Year’s in a grand manner as revellers party in hotels and pubs. They watch musical and dance performances, dance, drink and eat good food. But the pandemic has disrupted everyone’s plan this year.
“No one had ever imagined that 2020 will be so bad and will turn our lives this way. We can only hope that 2021 will start on a positive note and things will be better. I hope we recover from the losses incurred this year. Hence, we have decided not to celebrate and rather pray to God for a better future,” said Varun Panda, an executive.
Meanwhile, the state has reported 334 new Covid-19 positive cases in past 24 hours.
Though the dine-in option will remain open, there will be no celebrations, Srinibas Subudhi, Secretary of HRAO.