Republic Day celebrations altered amid surge in COVID-19 cases; Details inside

Amid rising COVID-19 cases in India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and other concerned Ministries on Tuesday held a joint meeting to discuss Republic Day celebrations to be held on January 26, Wednesday. At the meeting, it was decided that celebrations in 2022 will take place with stricter restrictions than the ones imposed in 2021 with the possibility of further reduction in the number of visitors allowed to witness the parade. 

A contingent of five Central Asian nations who will be chief guests for Republic Day 2022 celebrations, has arrived in New Delhi to participate in the event.

Centre discusses Republic Day celebrations

An official well-versed with the development said, "The route of the parade will be shorter as similar to last year. The marching contingent will end at the India Gate C-Hexagon instead of Red Fort. The Rajpath that has been redeveloped under Central Vista has been opened between Vijay Chowk and India Gate for rehearsal of contingent participating in Republic Day Parade 2022." 

"All invitees attending parade at Rajpath on Republic Day have to strictly comply with the COVID-19 advisory that includes temperature check, sanitiser, mask, and social distancing. The decision on making vaccine certificate mandatory for invitees will be decided in the next meeting," he added.

Entry to Republic Day Celebrations strictly through invitation 

The official further informed that just like last year, the entry to the Republic Day parade will strictly be through invitation cards, and added that children below the age of 15 will not be allowed at the parade.

"Entry to Republic Day Celebrations-2022 will be strictly through Invitation Card. All those, who don't have a valid Invitation Card are advised to watch the live programme at home. Children below 15 years of age are not allowed to be part of the celebrations at Rajpath. And no standing spectators would be allowed," he said.

Citing the reports of the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 touching its peak during the Republic Day celebrations in the country, the official said that the seating arrangements could further be reduced as against 25,000 visitors allowed in the parade despite the seating capacity of 1 lakh spectators.

"Medical teams will be deployed outside each enclosure to ensure health safety of visitors. To maintain social distancing, the entry gates to the parade will be increased," the official added.

(With ANI inputs)

Image: PTI