Mumbai imposes 12-hour Covid curbs from tomorrow amid Omicron spread. Read here

The Mumbai police on Friday issued an order prohibiting people from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, promenades, gardens, parks or similar public places between 5 pm and 5 am from Saturday till 15 January.

DCP (operations) S Chaitanya issued the order, which came into force from 1 pm on Friday. 

"I am satisfied that Greater Mumbai continues to be threatened with the Covid-19 pandemic, in light of the increase in Covid-19 cases and the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant "Omicron"," said Chaitanya in an order. 

“With a view to prevent danger to human life, health or safety, and to curtail the transmission of the Covid-19 virus, do hereby prohibit any person from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, promenades, gardens, parks or similar public places, from 5 pm to next day 5 am,” he added. 

Listing out other restrictions, the police official said that the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50 persons in case of marriages, whether in enclosed spaces or open to sky spaces. In case of last rites, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 20 persons.

The maximum capacity of social, cultural, political or religious gatherings or programs, whether in enclosed or open spaces, will also be the same. 

Any person found violating any curbs will be punishable under section 188 of IPC in addition to Epidemic Diseases Act and National Disaster Management Act. 

Prior to this, the Maharashtra government had issued an order capping the attendance at gatherings in open or closed spaces at 50. The new order also stipulates that only 20 persons can attend last rites.

Not more than 100 persons in enclosed spaces and 250 persons in open spaces were allowed to attend a marriage function or a social, cultural, political and religious gathering earlier.

Covid situation in city 

Mumbai recorded 3,671 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a 46.25% increase over the previous day.

While the new daily spike was highest since 5 May, no new fatalities were recorded in the financial capital of the country.

As per the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, the R-value, which indicates how fast the virus is spreading, was 2.01 in Mumbai between 23-28 December.