Owing to the persistent rise in Covid cases, the Delhi government has banned mass gatherings during Christmas and New Year. The government said the district magistrates and district Disaster Management authority would be responsible for controlling the disease.

"All district magistrates shall conduct an intensive survey of the entire area falling under their jurisdiction and identify those pockets, markets and crowded places which have the potential of becoming superspreaders of coronavirus and its Omicron variant," the DDMA said in the order.

It stated all DMs and DCPs shall deploy a sufficient number of enforcement teams on the field to keep utmost vigil at public places to enforce strict adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour to avoid any possible surge in COVID-19 cases.

The order also mentioned that all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious festival related gatherings and congregations are prohibited throughout NCT of Delhi. All restaurants and bars are allowed up to 50% seating capacity

The number of Omicron cases in India has risen to 213, Union health ministry data showed on Wednesday. At the top were Maharashtra with 65 cases and Delhi with 57 patients. Till now, 90 patients have been discharged after recovery.