Omicron spread: Curbs return to keep year-end celebrations muted again

Tamil Nadu has decided to close public access to beaches on December 31 and January 1

A day after the Centre asked states to activate war rooms to tackle the rising Omicron threat, state governments stepped up their guards with fresh curbs on religious and social gatherings. They also limited capacity in restaurants and bars, and ordered strict vigil on the ground. 

Delhi with 57 detected Omicron cases -- which according to the health ministry is the highest count in any state – on Wednesday banned all cultural gatherings ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations. The city government has also capped the occupancy in restaurants, bars, auditoriums at 50 per cent. The Delhi Disaster Management