Chennai: With Omicron cases rising in India, state governments have been adopting various measures to check the spread of the new coronavirus variant.
In the latest precautionary move, the Tamil Nadu government has banned public gatherings at all beaches in the state on December 31 and January 1, 2022. The Marina beach in Chennai and other beaches in the state are common destinations of revellers who look to ring in the new year in style.
“There will be no access to people to all the beaches on December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2022, as part of the measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid,” stated an official release quoting chief minister MK Stalin.
Tamil Nadu is yet to report any Omicron case, but neighbouring states have. The CM held a COVID-19 review meeting on Monday, where a decision was also taken to extend existing restrictions on social, cultural and political meetings till December 31.
The Omicron tally in the country has crossed 40 with Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh among the states to report the new variant of coronavirus.