MORE than a couple of orders issued in the past few days, including the one on Wednesday, by the authorities have added to the prevailing confusion over restrictions among general public. The order issued on Wednesday by the district administration has banned New Year parties on December 31, but have allowed the establishments including hotels and restaurants to function till ‘scheduled timings’. At the same time, ‘night curfew’ will be in place between 9 pm and 6 am at public places. On Wednesday, DDMA meeting was held in which it was decided to enforce the State Government’s order dated December 24. Further, it was decided to impose ban on New Year parties on December 31 in Nagpur district. Accordingly, the District Collector issued a fresh order on Wednesday. As per the fresh order, State Government directives of December 24 would be in force ‘till further orders’.

 

As per those directives, all the shops, restaurants, hotels, malls, cinema halls, other establishments, and marriage ceremonies would be allowed ‘till scheduled timings’, ‘as per the terms and conditions’. However, the New Year parties/ programmes/ events in public places or private spaces (enclosed or open) will be banned. There shall be ban on organising DJ party or dance floor. But, the hotels, restaurants etc can function up to ‘scheduled timings’. According to Vimala R, there shall be ban on parties. “Cinema halls and auditoriums can function till 9 pm with 50 per cent occupancy. Shops and shopping malls can operate till 9 pm. Restaurants and eateries can operate up to 9 pm with 50 per cent occupancy. Sports activities are allowed till 9 pm but without viewers. Social, cultural, entertainment, political, religious programmes and meetings can be held till 9 pm with 50 per cent occupancy in closed spaces, but the attendance should not be more than 100.

 

If these programmes are being held in open spaces, occupancy should be 25 per cent of capacity, but not more than 250,” she said, in the DDMA meeting held on Wednesday. The order issued following the meeting further stated that there shall be ban on gathering of people at public place between 9 pm and 6 am. The order issued by the District Collector will be applicable for the district, excluding Nagpur city, ‘till further orders’. Meanwhile, the hoteliers and others claimed that officials told them that their establishments were allowed to function till midnight. Against the backdrop of rising cases of COVID-19 and its Omicron variant, Maharashtra Government had announced ‘night curfew’ placing restrictions on movement of people between 9 pm and 6 am. Also, the guideliens regarding gathering of people were renewed for enforcement. Following that, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and City Police, the district administration issued orders for Nagpur city and rural areas on December 25.

 

As per the order issued by Radhakrishnan B, Municipal Commissioner, the fresh guidelines would come into effect from December 25 (Saturday) night in city. As per the notification issued by Vimala R, District Collector and Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the ‘night curfew’ would come into effect from December 28 in rural areas of district. Later on, both the authorities made certain amendments to that order. However, it did less for clearing the prevailing confusion among general public. Even the hoteliers and other establishments sought clarifications relating to particularly the New Year parties scheduled on December 31. Following this, the officials went into huddle again and the District Collector issued fresh order after DDMA meeting on Wednesday.