- Title: Unfazed by Omicron fears, Mumbai raves on beaches amid restrictions
- Date: 12th December 2021
- Summary: MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (DECEMBER 12, 2021) (ANI- No use India) VARIOUS OF CROWD ON MUMBAI'S GIRGAUM CHOWPATTY BEACH WOMEN SITTING ON BEDSHEET VARIOUS OF CROWD ON BEACH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MUMBAI RESIDENT, SOHIT, SAYING: "See all the political rallies and all the political events are still happening. So, just putting restrictions on citizens is not valid. Either restrictions should be put on everyone or it should not be put on anyone. So, these kinds of restrictions are just a harassment on the general public." PEOPLE SITTING ON BEDSHEET VARIOUS OF CROWD ON BEACH (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MUMBAI RESIDENT, LIAQAT KHAN, SAYING: "I see that there is a massive crowd over here. It seems that (emergency law called section 144) is not imposed here at all." VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC NEAR CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI TERMINUS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CLICKING SELFIES PEOPLE CROSSING ROAD
- Embargoed: 26th December 2021 15:10
- Keywords: Coronavirus India Maharashtra Mumbai Omicron cases deaths hospitals political rally section 144 vaccination
- Location: MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
- City: MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001F7QEDZJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands swarmed a beach in Mumbai on Sunday (December 12), flouting coronavirus restrictions amid concerns over the new Omicron variant.
Given the rising cases in western Maharashtra, the state government imposed an emergency law, Section 144 which prohibits gatherings for 48 hours.
As per media reports, regional All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) political party held an election rally on Saturday (December 12) despite the restrictions.
"All the political rallies and all the political events are still happening. So just putting restrictions on citizens is not valid," said Sohit who was one among thousand others on the Girgaum Chowpatty beach on Sunday.
India has detected at least 35 Omicron cases, with Maharashtra reporting the highest 18 cases on Sunday as per media reports.
India has not considered authorising booster doses yet as many in the country have been naturally infected and the government believes two vaccine doses offer sufficient protection, for now, three informed sources told Reuters late last month.
Around 87% of India's adults, estimated at 939 million people, have received at least one dose of a vaccine and 54% of them have received the full two. Inoculations for those under the age of 18 years have not started. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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