COVID-19 surge: After 5 p.m., no visit to beaches, parks, or gardens are permitted in Mumbai

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the Mumbai police issued fresh restrictions on Friday (December 31). The police have prolonged the limits imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code until January 15.

The police also imposed new limitations, prohibiting individuals from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, promenades, gardens, parks, or similar public locations between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. until January 15.

The order which was issued by DCP (operations) S Chaitanya came into effect from 1 pm on Friday. "The city continues to be threatened with COVID-19 pandemic in light of the increase in cases and emergence of the new Omicron variant," the order read.

The maximum number of guests allowed at weddings, whether in enclosed venues or open to the sky, has been set at 50. Only 50 persons will be allowed to attend social, cultural, political, or religious meetings. Funerals are limited to a maximum of 20 guests.

"All other existing instructions already in place shall continue to be in force till further orders," the order added.

Parties in any closed or open place, including restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, resorts, and clubs, would be forbidden from December 30 to January 7 in Mumbai, according to a Mumbai police order issued on Thursday.

Maharashtra reported 5,368 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infections in the state to 66,70,754. On Thursday, 3,671 new COVID-19 infections were reported in Mumbai. The state recorded 198 new Omicron variant cases, 190 of which were in Mumbai, bringing the total number of Omicron variant cases in the state to 450.