Section 144 in Mumbai extended till January 15 as omicron cases rise

As COVID-19 cases see an exponential rise in the city, Section 144 has been extended in Mumbai till January 15. Under this, gatherings of five or more people will be prohibited. 

The Brihanmumbai Corporation (BMC) has imposed restrictions on people from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, gardens, parks, or other public places from 5pm to 5am. 

The restrictions had earlier been put in place from December 30 to January 7. 

DCP (operations) S Chaitanya issued the order under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which came into force from 1 pm on Friday and will be effective till January 15, unless withdrawn earlier, reported PTI.

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“The city continues to be threatened with COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the increase in cases and emergence of the new Omicron variant, and with a view to prevent danger to human life, health and safety and to curb transmission of the virus, people are prohibited from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, promenades, gardens, parks or similar public places from 5 pm to 5 am next day,” the order said.

“In case of marriages or any other social, political or religious event, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50 persons. The maximum number of attendees is restricted to 20 in funerals,” the order stated.

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“In case of any gathering or programme, whether social, cultural, political or religious, whether in enclosed or open to sky spaces, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50 persons,” it said.

Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 5,368 coronavirus cases, a spike of 1,468 cases from a day before. The state reported 198 new cases of the Omicron variant, including 190 in Mumbai alone, taking the tally of cases of this latest coronavirus variant in the state up to 450.

While cases have been rising, the Mumbai civic body has said, more than 90 per cent of the cases are asymptomatic.