Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has appealed to the DMK functionaries to refrain from meeting him in person during the New Year. As the New Year is hours ahead, the Chief Minister noted that the functionaries would come to meet him to express their New Year greetings and made his appeal to them in light of the Omicron spread. He further sought cooperation from the people in containing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and its variants. 

In a statement on Friday- December 31, MK Stalin said that he can sense that the party workers and functionaries, who tirelessly worked for the party's victory in the assembly polls, would wish to express their New Year greetings to him by meeting him on January 1, the first New Year after the DMK had come to power in the state for the sixth time with overwhelming support from the people. 

He noted that he is in responsibility as their Chief Minister to curb the spread of the Omicron variant and said that he will accept their hearty wishes and dearly appealed to them not to meet him in person. He said, "I am looking forward to the cooperation from the people and DMK functionaries in containing the Omicron spread, like how the government had efficiently addressed the second wave of the pandemic after taking the power amid Tamil Nadu facing an adverse impact of the pandemic."

"So, kindly adhere to the government guidelines and carry out the responsibilities as a dignified partymen. This will be the best New Year gift you give me", he added. He further said, "Though it is the first New Year for the party, which has come to power after ten years, I convey my New Year wishes to the functionaries with a firm belief that the future will be the new years for the party." 

The Stalin administration has imposed several restrictions for Tamil Nadu in the wake of the Omicron spread. The government has banned celebrations on New Year Eve and closed beaches and other recreations with the view of curbing the surge in the Omicron cases. Chennai, which is a major coastal city that would typically witness a busy coastal stretch during the New Year celebrations, is all set to welcome 2022 with no such fashions. 

The Chennai Police have issued guidelines and restrictions for New Year's Eve for the city. The police said that people will not be allowed to gather in Marina Beach, Elliots Beach, Neelankarai, and the East Coast Road. From 9 pm onwards during New Year's Eve, vehicles will not be allowed on Marina Beach, from War Memorial to Gandhi Statue, Kamaraj Road, and Besant Nagar Elliots Beach Road. In line with these restrictions in the coastal lines, the New Year Celebrations will not be allowed on RK Salai, Rajaji Salai, Kamarajar Salai, Anna Salai, GST Road, and other arterial roads. 

Covid-19 standard operating procedures must be followed in all places of worship and people must be wearing face masks and they must be allowed to enter such places after the thermal screening. The Chennai Police have also banned resorts, clubs, farmhouses, and convention centres from conducting commercialised New Year Celebrations and restricted DJ programmes and dance parties. So far, Tamil Nadu has reported 45 Omicron cases as of Thursday.