Chandigarh ushers in New Year amid Covid restrictions

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

The City Beautiful celebrated the New Year’s Eve amid Covid restrictions. Only those fully vaccinated became part of the celebrations at many clubs and hotels. As the city welcomed the New Year amid Covid shadow for the second year in a row, there was no huge rush of revellers at hotels and clubs.

In line with the UT Administration orders, vaccination certificates were being checked at the entrance of hotels and only fully-vaccinated individuals were allowed entry. However, norms went for a toss at some places.

Arvinder Pal Singh from Metro– 43 said, “There is no rush at all in our hotel. Only a small party is going on. There are no walk-in customers. The hotels in Sector 43 and 35 have low footfall. It looks like people didn’t turn up due to Covid fear.” “There is a decent rush at our hotel on the New Year’s Eve. We are turning away those who have not received the two doses of the vaccine,” said Vinod Dua of Peddlers, Sector 35. Arsh Verma, owner of Paara Club, Centra Mall, said, “The rush is similar to any other day. Due to covid restrictions, people have not come in huge numbers for the New Year celebrations. Only those fully vaccinated are being allowed entry.”

The UT had also restricted the gatherings to 50 per cent capacity of hotels or banquet halls. Arpit Nagpal, a city resident, said, “I visited two to three restaurants in Sector 26 and none of them asked for a Covid vaccination certificate. All were jam-packed and 50 per cent capacity norm was also violated.”