‘Zero night’ celebrations banned across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government prohibited ‘Zero Night’ celebration and ‘Welcome to New Year’ programmes across the State on December 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021, respectively.

As per an order issued by the Special Relief Commissioner’s Office, congregation in public places including hotels, restaurants, clubs, parks, convention halls and kalyan mandaps, etc. for Zero Night Celebration, Welcome to New Year and similar other function on December 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021 will remain prohibited throughout the State.

“Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws,” the order read.

The decision has been taken by the Odisha government today in view of the SOP issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on December 22, 2020 for stringent surveillance and response after new variant of SARS-CoV 2 virus was detected the United Kingdom.

Earlier, on November 30, 2020, the State government stated large social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other gatherings would remain prohibited in the State till December-end.