Omicron in Maharashtra: MVA govt issues guidelines for New Year’s – Know the Covid-19 restrictions here

Mumbai.&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

Key Highlights

• State Health Minister Rajesh Tope today expressed concern over the rise in the number of new and active cases in Maharashtra

• Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Aditya Thackeray said that Mumbai may cross 2,000 per day cases today

Mumbai: In wake of the rapidly surging cases of Covid-19 infection in the country, especially in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government has announced a fresh set of guidelines for the upcoming New Year’s celebrations later this week.

As per the new norms, the gathering of people has been limited to 5, while all cultural and religious events have been prohibited.

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope today expressed concern over the rise in the number of new and active cases in Maharashtra.

Urging people to exercise caution, he informed that in the last 8-10 days, the active caseload of the state was around 5,000-6,000, but by Tuesday, it had 11,492 active cases.

On Wednesday, the active caseload could cross 20,000, Tope said.

Maharashtra government Covid-19 guidelines for New Year’s:

• If possible, celebrate New Year’s at home. Keep it low key.
• Follow ‘small gathering’ rule (not more than 5)
• Maintain social distancing and continue sanitization
• Capacity restrictions are same as before
• Senior citizens above 60 years of age and children below 10 are advised to avoid going out of their houses
• Maintain social distancing at beaches, gardens and outdoor places
• No cultural or religious events are permitted, and no rallies too
• No use of firecrackers

“Last week we were reporting 150 cases per day. Now we are reporting around 2,000 cases per day. Mumbai may cross 2,000 per day cases today,” Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Aditya Thackeray told reporters.

Emphasising that vaccination should be increased, Tope said the government has prepared a list of citizens who have been left out of the drive.

“Every day, 51,000 tests are conducted in Mumbai, but if 2,200 people test positive, then the positivity rate stands at 4 per cent, which is not good. We need to be cautious,” he said.