New Year celebrations: No celebration allowed after 10 pm, police to tighten inspection

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has imposed strict restrictions on New Year celebrations in the wake of the rise of Omicron cases. No gatherings and celebrations will be allowed after 10 pm. Police will tighten inspections. Only essential journeys will be permitted. People going out after 10 pm must carry a self-prepared certificate.

Police will take strict action against those who do not follow the instructions. Hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs must close by 10 pm. The regulation also applies to places of worship. The authorities decided to impose the restrictions on the basis of the assessment that people will go out en masse as part of the New Year celebrations.

Theatres will not be allowed to play second shows. A night curfew was announced in the state to contain the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The night curfew came into effect on December 30. Restrictions will be in force from 10 pm to 5 am. Shops and establishments have been instructed to close at 10 pm.