Odisha SRC Warns Of Stern Actions For Zero Night Celebration Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to prevent any scope of spread of COVID-19 during new year-eve celebrations, the state government has warned of stern actions for violation of restrictions.

After releasing the COVID guidelines for January, 2022, the Special Relief Commissioner on Thursday issued a notice preventing gatherings at public places from December 31, 2021 to January 2, 2022.

As per the notification, zero night celebration at public places and new year gathering are strictly prohibited across the state. The SRC has directed the authorities concerned to carry out random checking at picnic spots, malls, shopping complexes, hotels, clubs, parks, convention halls and kalyan mandaps on all three days.

“No celebration other than marriage (not receptions and other functions) is allowed. Funeral rites are permitted amid COVID protocols,” the notification said.

The authorities will ensure that COVID protocols like wearing masks and maintaining social distance are followed by the people at those places. They can impose additional restrictions, if necessary, the notification stated.

In case of violation of the guidelines, the SRC has directed to impose heavy penalty as decided by the local authorities on the violators.