Citizens in the eastern suburbs, too, stepped out to play Holi on Monday ignoring instructions from the BMC amid an explosion in COVID cases in the city. Though the celebrations were a bit muted compared to earlier years, groups of people coated with colours were seen loitering around in the morning with minimal police presence. A number of them were also spotted on bikes.

The BMC had announced last week that Holi celebrations would not be allowed at private and public places in the city. Most of the revellers were without masks and did not maintain social distancing. “I complained about people playing Holi in my society and they were all over the place. There were colours and balloons too and it was like every other year,” said a resident of Mulund West society.