Thiruvananthapuram: The night curfew imposed by the Kerala Government amid the growing number of Omicron cases began in the State from Thursday night. The night curfew, which began on December 30, will continue till January 2. During night curfew strict restrictions will be in place from 10 pm to 5 am and only essential services will be allowed.

Restrictions on New Year celebrations

On December 31, there will not be any celebrations after 10 pm and crowds will be controlled in major tourist destinations and beaches. No gathering will be allowed at the religious places on New Year eve.

All shops and establishments including clubs, bars, hotels, and restaurants have to down their shutters by 10 pm and operate with 50 per cent seating on all four days.

Till January 2, no public meetings or programmes, whether it be religious, political, cultural or social, will be allowed. However, the state government has exempted Sivagiri and Sabarimala pilgrimage from the purview of the night curfew.

The government has urged churches to host New Year mass by limiting participation. Believers have been suggested to participate online.

Those who go out after 10 pm for emergency services will have to keep self-declaration documents with them on all these days.

District Collectors will deploy sectoral magistrates where there are chances of heavy crowding. Such places include hotels, restaurants, clubs, beaches and shopping malls. More police personnel will be pressed into service during the days of curfew.

Health minister advises caution

Health Minister Veena George has urged the public to celebrate New Year with caution. She advised those who visit shops, shopping malls, hotels and religious places to take precaution.

"Omicron spreads fast within a minimum number of days. The death rate may go high in Kerala as the number of senior citizens and those having age-related illness is high. Those who have taken vaccines have more resistance power. But compared to other variants, Omicron has the capacity to beat this resistance power and cause the disease once again," she said.

She urged everyone to avoid visiting crowded places. The social distancing should be strictly followed in shops. Special care should be taken to ensure air circulation in offices, work places, schools, markets, shops and public places.

Veena said it would be better for those who came from low-risk countries to be under quarantine at home for seven days. They should not use public transport or attend public functions. In case of any development of symptoms, they should go on self-quarantine and inform the health worker promptly about the development.