Strict restrictions re-imposed in Maharashtra amid Omicron scare

Aurangabad/Mumbai: Restrictions have been re-imposed across the state since last midnight due to the rapidly rise in the number of patients infected with the coronavirus and the new variant Omicron, officials said on Friday.

After detailed discussions between Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and members of the State Task Force Committee last night, it was decided to tighten the restrictions across the state as numbers of positive cases reported in the state had risen alarmingly.

An order in this regard was issued late last night by the state Chief Secretary Debasis Chakraborty.

All restrictions will take with effect from midnight onwards.

As per new guidelines only 50 people will be allowed to attend the wedding ceremonies in the open field or in a closed hall.

Only 50 people will be allowed to participate in all political, religious and social events, and only 20 people will be allowed for a funeral ceremony.

The local administration has been given the power to tighten restrictions in districts or municipal limits where the number of patients are increasing.

All the tourist centres will be closed in view of the crowds likely to gather at the beaches in various cities or tourist destinations including Mumbai to bid farewell to the outgoing year and welcome in the New Year. Therefore, curfew has been imposed on all tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Thackeray has expressed concern over the rising number of patients at the state task force meeting.

Everyone is unanimous on the issue of not allowing crowds to gather at any place and a decision on further restrictions will be taken very soon, said Health Minister Rajesh Tope during the meeting.

It may be noted that 5,368 COVID positive cases and 198 Omicron cases that were reported on Thursday pose challenge before the health department in the state which might be on the verge of the likely third wave of the COVID pandemic. (UNI)