Going out on New Year’s Eve? Party safely & responsibly amid pandemic
Usher in the new year by following COVID regulations
NCR restros and pubs say that they will be extra vigilant on NYE, but that guests will also have to take precautions and be responsible while partying
As restaurants and nightclubs gear up for the biggest celebration of the year, the focus is on responsible and safe partying amid
the pandemic. In the last one month, around eight nightclubs were sealed in Delhi for not following District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) guidelines. Overcrowding, not following social distancing norms and people not wearing masks – these were the main reasons behind the sealing. Apart from these, some outlets were sealed for serving liquor in places other than permitted areas.
An excise official tells us, “We have been sending enforcement teams in the field and if restaurants are found violating guidelines issued by DDMA, they are fined and areas are sealed.” While restros and clubs assert that they would be following COVID norms strictly on New Year’s Eve, they add that guests need to do their bit and be responsible towards their own and other’s safety.
Stay away from the dance floor, maintain social distancing
Overcrowding on the dance floor is something that even diners who plan to go out on New Year’s Eve are worried about. Sushmita Mehra, a software engineer from Vasant Vihar, shares, “Last weekend, I went out with my friends to a lounge bar in Gurgaon. The moment the DJ started playing music, people forgot all about social distancing. They were dancing in close proximity, their carelessness was shocking.” She adds, “I plan to go out with my friends on New Year’s Eve, but we are yet to decide on the place. We do not want the same experience we had on our last outing.”
To ensure that there is no overcrowding on the dance floors, lounges and clubs are taking strict measures. Umang Tewari, founder, Local, Junkyard Café and Key Nightclub, says, “We will make sure that there is continuous supervision by our staff to ensure that people dance next to their tables only, so that one group is restricted to one area and social distancing is maintained. We have instructed our DJs to keep announcing every few minutes that guests should not come on dance floors. We will have additional bouncers around the dance floor.” Dinesh Arora, founder, Unplugged Courtyard (in Delhi and Gurgaon), and La Roca, adds, “We’ll have DJs, but we’ll be advising people to maintain social distance and stay away from the dance floor.”
Make a reservation in advance
If you have already made up your mind to go out on New Year’s Eve, it’s essential to make a reservation in advance. As all restaurants and bars are currently allowed to operate at 50% of their occupancy, making a reservation becomes all the more important this year.
“We won’t be seeing packed dance floors or crowded bars this year. Keeping the headcount to 50% will be a colossal task. We are promoting advance bookings and discouraging across-the-counter sales to reduce overcrowding on NYE,” says Akshay Anand, co-founder, Ophelia. “Our seating plan ensures safe distance from other tables. We are recommending pre-booking to our guests to ensure a smooth and safe experience,” adds Avantika Sinha Bahl, founder, Kampai.
Wear your masks at all times
There will be strict checks to ensure that guests wear masks at all times, apart from when they are eating or drinking. Restaurateurs, bar owners and even diners feel that people take the mask rule very casually once they enter the restaurant. “I once had an
argument with a couple at a restaurant. They were sitting at a nearby table and one of them was coughing and was not even wearing a mask. I complained to the staff and the couple started arguing because I had objected,” shares Sukanya Sharma, an entrepreneur and a Model Town resident.
To avoid such situations, restaurateurs say that they will be ensuring that guests take off their masks only when eating or drinking. “Our staff has been briefed to ensure that guests don’t remove their masks if they are not consuming food and drinks. We have already been following this rule, but we will be extra vigilant on New Year’s Eve,” says Mayank Bhatt, Brand Head, Social.
— With inputs from Niharika Lal
As restaurants and nightclubs gear up for the biggest celebration of the year, the focus is on responsible and safe partying amid
the pandemic. In the last one month, around eight nightclubs were sealed in Delhi for not following District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) guidelines. Overcrowding, not following social distancing norms and people not wearing masks – these were the main reasons behind the sealing. Apart from these, some outlets were sealed for serving liquor in places other than permitted areas.
An excise official tells us, “We have been sending enforcement teams in the field and if restaurants are found violating guidelines issued by DDMA, they are fined and areas are sealed.” While restros and clubs assert that they would be following COVID norms strictly on New Year’s Eve, they add that guests need to do their bit and be responsible towards their own and other’s safety.
Guests should remove their masks only while eating and drinking
Overcrowding on the dance floor is something that even diners who plan to go out on New Year’s Eve are worried about. Sushmita Mehra, a software engineer from Vasant Vihar, shares, “Last weekend, I went out with my friends to a lounge bar in Gurgaon. The moment the DJ started playing music, people forgot all about social distancing. They were dancing in close proximity, their carelessness was shocking.” She adds, “I plan to go out with my friends on New Year’s Eve, but we are yet to decide on the place. We do not want the same experience we had on our last outing.”
To ensure that there is no overcrowding on the dance floors, lounges and clubs are taking strict measures. Umang Tewari, founder, Local, Junkyard Café and Key Nightclub, says, “We will make sure that there is continuous supervision by our staff to ensure that people dance next to their tables only, so that one group is restricted to one area and social distancing is maintained. We have instructed our DJs to keep announcing every few minutes that guests should not come on dance floors. We will have additional bouncers around the dance floor.” Dinesh Arora, founder, Unplugged Courtyard (in Delhi and Gurgaon), and La Roca, adds, “We’ll have DJs, but we’ll be advising people to maintain social distance and stay away from the dance floor.”
Make a reservation in advance
If you have already made up your mind to go out on New Year’s Eve, it’s essential to make a reservation in advance. As all restaurants and bars are currently allowed to operate at 50% of their occupancy, making a reservation becomes all the more important this year.
“We won’t be seeing packed dance floors or crowded bars this year. Keeping the headcount to 50% will be a colossal task. We are promoting advance bookings and discouraging across-the-counter sales to reduce overcrowding on NYE,” says Akshay Anand, co-founder, Ophelia. “Our seating plan ensures safe distance from other tables. We are recommending pre-booking to our guests to ensure a smooth and safe experience,” adds Avantika Sinha Bahl, founder, Kampai.
Wear your masks at all times
There will be strict checks to ensure that guests wear masks at all times, apart from when they are eating or drinking. Restaurateurs, bar owners and even diners feel that people take the mask rule very casually once they enter the restaurant. “I once had an
argument with a couple at a restaurant. They were sitting at a nearby table and one of them was coughing and was not even wearing a mask. I complained to the staff and the couple started arguing because I had objected,” shares Sukanya Sharma, an entrepreneur and a Model Town resident.
To avoid such situations, restaurateurs say that they will be ensuring that guests take off their masks only when eating or drinking. “Our staff has been briefed to ensure that guests don’t remove their masks if they are not consuming food and drinks. We have already been following this rule, but we will be extra vigilant on New Year’s Eve,” says Mayank Bhatt, Brand Head, Social.
— With inputs from Niharika Lal
more from times of india cities