Omicron update: Mumbai citizens have been asked to avoid year-end parties

As Omicron makes its presence felt in India, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation or BMC, has asked residents in the city to not gather for Christmas and New Year parties. Iqbal Singh Chahal, Commissioner, BMC, has urged citizens to avoid gatherings and parties in the upcoming festivities of Christmas and New Year. The Commissioner has also said that anyone who flouts these rules will face stringer action.
The new variant of COVID 19 is turning heads across the world, and governments are getting cautious. Maharashtra so far has reported 54 cases of the Omicron variant, with 22 of them reported from Mumbai. Many countries abroad have already gone under lockdowns once again since the spread of the Omicron virus.

Chahal mentioned that the guidelines are not being followed in most places, even after the government has appealed to the public to follow protocols so that a third wave of COVID 19 can be avoided. This is especially true for weddings, and other functions, where it is necessary to curb the crowd.
Chahal said, "Avoid any kind of crowding, wear masks and follow Covid-19 guidelines. All citizens must also get fully vaccinated."

He further emphasised that people should be following all COVID-19 protocols when visiting restaurants, malls, cinemas, hotels, and other places. BMC's ward level teams have been deployed at places, and anyone violating rules would have to face the music.

BMC had laid down guidelines on November 27 in order to curb the spread of the virus. It has been reported that violators will be charged with the Indian Penal Code as well as the Epidemic Diseases Act and the National Disaster Management Act. The Maharashtra government's guidelines suggest that only fifty percent capacity is allowed indoor, and only 25 percent capacity is allowed in open spaces.