Terrace parties not allowed on New Year's Eve due to Covid-19 cases: Mumbai Police

First stay safe and donrsquot even think about terrace parties on 31st night This is the message the Mumbai police have sought to send out to citizens in the backdrop of a sudden spike in COVID cases and the threat of the Omicron variant With the night curfew in place cops say they will take action if five or more people gather at one place on New Yearrsquos eve Senior officers said the Mumbai police will keep an eye on secret parties in public and private places like terraces and hallsWe have formed a special squad that will keep a watch on private properties for parties on December 31 While the terrace is commonplace for New Year parties itrsquos not allowed this time due to an increase in COVID casesrdquo said a senior police officerThe officer said they are also worried after the sensational murder of an 18yearold woman during a New Year party at Khar last year The victim Jhanvi Kukreja was killed apparently after a fight at the terrace party at Bhagwati Heights societyAnother officer said ldquoItrsquos impossible to check each and every society but if any party is organised on the terrace it will be easily visible from outside Our beat marshals and special squad will keep an eye on such parties If any society or any group of people is found partying they will be booked under section 144 CrPCrdquoA crowd at the Gateway of India on December 31 2019 File picMumbai police spokesman and IPS officer S Chaitanya said ldquoIt is clearly stated by MCGM BMC that no parties gathering is allowed in Mumbai this year If people are found partying they will be booked From 9 pm to 6 am there is a curfew and no more than 5 people are allowed in any gathering Still we are waiting for more clarification which we havenrsquot received yet on resorts like if people are allowed inside the resort premises to party or not In the coming days we will get the clarification on this also People should stay saferdquoFocus on drugs firecrackers tooAnother police officer said they have a plan ready to crack down on drug use on the 31st night ldquoOur team will check that no drugs or rave parties are held at Gorai Aksa Madh Rajodi beaches We will also check resorts If we get any complaints of partying in private places action will be takenrdquoWhile churches have been allowed to utilise only 50 per cent capacity for prayers they have also been told not to let people gather on their premises ldquoFirecrackers are also banned this time If anyone is found with firecrackers they will be charged for nuisance Cinemas restaurants and bars will function till the regular time allowedrdquo said an officerExcise teams to track flow of illicit liquorExcise department officials said smugglers of illicit liquor are more active in December The department has formed several teams in Mumbai to nab smugglers of illegal booze Officials said four flying squads each comprising 10 officers have been formed to patrol in south Mumbai east Mumbai north Mumbai and west Mumbai They said 23 excise units are working across the city to stop the flow of illegal liquor There are 8 officers in each excise unitOfficials said these smugglers fill cheap liquor in discarded bottles of expensive brands and cheat customers It also deprives the government of revenue The flying squads will particularly keep a watch on upscale city areas that are known for big parties as smugglers will be keen to deliver booze at these venuesA senior excise officer told midday ldquoThe team is also keeping an eye on the check nakas to see if illicit liquor is being brought to MumbairdquoAnother senior excise officer said ldquoThe department will take action as per the rules made by the state government regarding COVID19rdquoFourNo of excise flying squads to track illicit liquorCases might go up Cabinet toldA worried state cabinet was told on Monday that the COVID19 cases were expected to spike further in the middle of next monthThe statersquos positivity rate has increased to 106 per cent with a threefold jump in the cases in the past six days The statersquos active caseload has jumped from 6200 on December 8 to 10000 on MondayAdditional Chief Secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas briefed the cabinet on Monday Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who attended online asked for multiplying the daily vaccination from 5 lakh to a maximum possibleThe guardian ministers who are now in the legislative session have been asked to sensitise the machinery and people to increase the vaccination