New year celebrations may not be possible in Rajasthan as the government imposes a curfew to stave off a possible surge in COVID-19 cases.
According to an order issued by the Home Department there will be a curfew in place from December 31 night to January 1 morning – effectively making it impossible for those wishing to count down to the new year in public spaces.
Social, religious, political congregations have been forbidden in the state. Bursting of firecrackers and their sale too remains prohibited in the state, as per the official order.
The order comes after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Wednesday directed the governments of Rajasthan, Delhi, UP and Haryana to ensure strict compliance on the ban on the sale and use of firecrackers during Christmas and New Year.
These states have imposed night curfew and other measures to check Covid-19 spread
Maharashtra was one of the first states to impose a night curfew once the new coronavirus strain was discovered in UK.
Karnataka on Wednesday joined Maharashtra in imposing restrictions amid concerns over a new COVID-19 variant spreading in the UK . The Karnataka government said night curfew will be in force between 11 pm and 5 am from December 24 till January 1 but midnight mass will be allowed.
Gujarat: Ahmedabad administration had imposed night curfew in the city from 9 pm to 6 am in November until further notice. Ahmedabad is the only city in Gujarat where such a curfew has been imposed, amid a sudden spike in new cases during the festive season. Ahmedabad’s night curfew is the only one not imposed in response to the new strain of coronavirus.
Himachal Pradesh: The Jai Ram Thakur government has decided to impose night curfew in Shimla, Mandi, Kangra and Kullu districts. The curbs will remain in place from 10 pm to 6 am till January 5, urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj said. The state government had decided to impose night curfew from November 23.
Punjab: Chief minister Amarinder Singh on December 11 ordered an extension of the night curfew imposed in all cities and towns till January 1, 2021. Additional restrictions were imposed on gatherings, a total of 100 people can get together for indoor festivities and 250 individuals for outdoor ones, during non-curfew hours in the state. The government had earlier imposed a night curfew from December 1 to December 15.
Manipur: The Manipur government has imposed a night curfew in the state from 6pm to 4am starting from the end of November till the end of this year to control the spread of coronavirus. The government has also restricted ceremonial gatherings to 20 people or less.
A specific order issued by the Rajasthan Home department was issued on the purpose that night curfew is imposed effectively to prevent the spread of coronavirus amid fears of new strains found in the UK.
