Vijayawada: Curbs on New Year revelry as new strain of Covid surfaces

Vijayawada: City Commissioner of Police Battina Srinivasulu imposed strict restrictions on the New Year celebrations on December 31st night in the city.

He said public gathering and celebration to mark the New Year are prohibited on MG Road and made it clear that all shops and commercial establishments in the city must be closed by 10 pm on December 31.

He said wine shops must be closed by 8 pm and permission for bars and restaurants will be given till 11 pm.

Commissioner Srinivasulu in a press release on Tuesday said the decision was taken in view of the threat of second wave of Covid-19 and reports of new strain of virus detected in some parts of AP and Telangana. He said heavy bandobust will be made on December 31 to prevent any untoward incident in the city.

He suggested the people to celebrate the New Year at home only. He said there is no permission for New Year celebrations in the hotels, function halls and other public places. He said sale of liquor to the youth below 21 years of age is not permitted. He said stern action will be taken on the shops for the sale of liquor to youth and children below 21 years of age. He said new strain has been detected from the people who came from UK.

CP said obscene dances prohibited in the hotels, bars, restaurants and warned that stern action will be taken against the persons, who harass and tease women and young ladies on the pretext of New Year celebrations in the city. He suggested the people not to burst crackers and create problems to others and made it clear that driving vehicles in inebriated condition strictly prohibited.

He said Covid guidelines must be followed in the places of worship and appealed to the people to cooperate with the police to prevent any untoward incidents in the city on the occasion of New Year.