No plan to put restrictions on Christmas and New Year's parties: Mumbai Mayor

Mumbai: Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar on Monday said that there is no plan to put restrictions on parties during the upcoming Christmas festival and New Year.

She also urged people to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Police.

“We have already issued SOPs for Christmas and New Year's celebrations. There is no plan to put restrictions on the Christmas and New Year's parties. We appeal to people to follow the SOPs issued by BMC and Mumbai Police,” Pednekar told ANI.

Meanwhile, BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal appealed to citizens to avoid gatherings and parties during the upcoming Christmas festival and New Year, and warned of stringent action against those who flout rules.

So far, Maharashtra has reported 54 cases of the Omicron variant. Out of these, 22 are from Mumbai, as per official data.

"Avoid any kind of crowding, wear masks and follow COVID-19 guidelines. All citizens must also get fully vaccinated," Chahal said in a press release issued on Sunday.

The civic body chief also said in the near future, the risk of COVID-19 spread may increase if programmes and functions are held on Christmas and New Year. There is also a need to curb the growing crowd at weddings and other functions, he said.

"In order to prevent such a situation in India as well as in Maharashtra, the central and state governments are continuously appealing to people and requesting them to take precautions. The BMC administration has also appealed to Mumbaikars to be vigilant," he said.

As per the Maharashtra government's guidelines, only 50 per cent people of the total capacity of halls can attend an indoor event, while in open spaces, only 25 per cent people of the total capacity of the place must be allowed.

If more than 1,000 people have to attend any event at an open space, prior approval from the local disaster management authority is required, according to the guidelines.