Amid a resurgence of Covid-19, the Raipur district administration on Thursday banned ‘Holi Milan’ and similar programmes and also imposed Section 144 in the Chhattisgarh capital.

Also, the numbers allowed to take part in occasions like marriage and death have been capped at 50, that too with prior permission.

During ‘Holika Dahan’, only five persons who use mask, sanitizer and follow social distancing will be allowed. All tourist spots in the city have been closed to the public, a press release said.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by District Collector Dr S Bharathi Dasan, it said.

The Collector asked officials to strictly impose the restrictions. Conditional relaxations were given a few months back after a slide in Covid cases but these have been again imposed due to a spike in Covid cases, the release said.

The Collector said all those entering Raipur district by rail, road or air will have to remain in home quarantine for seven days.

People visiting public places like cinema halls and malls will have to undergo daily check-ups and follow Covid guidelines.

The Collector appealed to the elderly and people above 45 years living in slums or crowed places to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest. He also told eligible government officers and employees to take the vaccine.

All religious, social, cultural, political, sports and public events have been suspended. Religious places will open only for individuals.