As COVID-19 cases are surging across India, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police on Wednesday imposed Section 144 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh till April 30. Notably, the section has been imposed ahead of and throughout the festive season. The festivals that will be affected included Holi, Shab-e-Baraat, Good Friday, Navratri, Ambedkar Jayanti, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti and Hanuman Jayanti.

Also read: COVID-19 might develop into a ‘seasonal disease’: UN

Section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) prohibits the gathering of five or more persons, holding of public meetings and carrying of firearms. It can be imposed for up to two months.

As the section came into force on Wednesday, here are the rules imposed:

1) Without permission from a competent authority, nobody will be allowed to hold protests, processions or hunger strikes, nor can they encourage others to do so.

2) No person will be allowed to roam around with sticks, rods or firearms. This rule will not be applied on differently-abled and vision-impaired persons, police personnel and those involved in administrative work.

3) No person can sell, play or present such audio/video cassettes or CDs that stir tension among the general public or manipulate them.

4) There is a complete ban on celebratory firing at weddings and other such events.

5) Consumption of liquor is banned in public places.

6) Proper social distancing should be followed and masks should be worn at crowded places.

Also read: Five states account for more than 70% of new COVID-19 cases: Health ministry

Also read: Maharashtra records over 23,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours amid reports of second wave

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his interaction with the Chief Ministers, on Wednesday, regarding the surge in COVID-19 cases, iterated that quick and decisive steps should be taken to rein in the emerging second wave of coronavirus.