Delhi bans gatherings for Christmas, New Year celebrations amid Omicron scare

New Delhi: Amid a steady rise in Omicron cases in the national capital, the Delhi government has banned all events and gatherings to celebrate Christmas and New Year. In an order issued on Wednesday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) directed district magistrates to ensure no Christmas and New Year gathering takes place in the national capital.

The District Magistrates have been asked to identify potential Covid-19 superspreader areas in the national capital ahead of Christmas and New Year.

The DDMA in its order said Omicron, declared a variant of concern by the WHO, has emerged significantly and there has been a persistent rise in Covid-19 cases in Delhi during last few days.

The District Magistrates and District Deputy Commissioners have been asked to take all required measures in their respective jurisdictions to control the spread of the infection.

The DDMA has directed the District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners to tighten the enforcement machinery to ensure that people follow social-distancing norms and wear masks.

“All district magistrates shall conduct an intensive survey of the entire area falling under their jurisdiction and identify those pockets, colonies markets and crowded places which have the potential of becoming superspreaders of coronavirus and its Omicron variant,” the order said.

The District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners have been directed to deploy a sufficient number of enforcement teams on the field for keeping utmost vigil at public places to enforce strict adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour to avoid any possible surge in cases.

All social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, festival related gatherings and congregations are prohibited throughout NCT of Delhi.

All restaurants and bars are allowed up to 50 percent of the seating capacity, as per the DDMA order.

The auditoriums/assembly halls are allowed to up to 50 percent of the seating capacity, while marriage related gatherings are permitted with a ceiling of 200 persons.

Besides, the sports activities in stadia/sports complex are permitted only without spectators.

The authorised weekly markets are allowed subject to strict compliance of protocol/ standard operating procedure/instructions’ and guidelines issued.