India / Night curfew on New Year's eve in Rajasthan cities with over 1L population

Jaipur: The government of Rajasthan has issued an order to impose night curfew in the state on the new year eve. 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.

A night curfew on the new years eve will be in effect from December 31, 8 pm to January 1, 6 am in all cities having a population of over one lakh. Markets in all these places will be closed at 7 pm, according to an order issued by the Home Department.

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.

Those visiting religious places are required to follow all precautionary measures, including wearing masks, using sanitisers and following social distancing norms.

CM urges people to celebrate new year's eve at home

On Monday, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had urged people to celebrate new year's eve at home and avoid bursting firecrackers and mass gatherings in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, after chairing a meeting to review preparedness for the coronavirus vaccination programme.

"People should celebrate New Year with their families inside their homes, avoid overcrowding and bursting firecrackers. This is important for everyone's health. Rajasthan will strictly implement COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for all states," he had tweeted.

Covid-19 situation in Rajasthan

On Wednesday, eight COVID-19 related deaths and 992 fresh positive cases were reported in Rajasthan as per official data, taking the total number of deaths and positive cases in the state to 2,642 and 3,01,708 respectively.

The deaths were reported from Alwar, Bundi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Kota and Sikar (one in each district).

The maximum number of new cases were reported from Jaipur where 168 people were tested Covid-19 positive. Kota also recorded 104 new positive cases with the rest of the cases reported from other districts.

A total of 2,87,418 patients suffering from COVID-19 infection have recovered in the state while 11,736 cases are active as of now.