Republic Day: Children Below 15 Years Restricted from Participating in Parade

The Delhi police have issued a new set of guidelines for Republic Day celebration saying that people attending the parade must be fully vaccinated against COVID and children below 15 years of age will not be allowed to attend the function.

The new guidelines also stated that people will have to adhere to all COVID protocols such as wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing, at the programme on Rajpath on January 26.

The Delhi Police in a tweet said, “It is necessary to have both doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine. Visitors are requested to bring their vaccination certificate.”

The new guidelines also said that children below 15 years of age are not allowed in the function. The national Covid vaccination programme, which initially started with health care and frontline workers on January 16 last year, was gradually extended for all those above 18 years of age.

Listing the guidelines, the Delhi Police tweeted that the seating blocks will open for visitors at 7 am and requested them to arrive accordingly. Since parking is limited, visitors have been advised to use carpool or taxi. They are also requested to carry a valid identity card and cooperate during security check, it said.

"There will be a provision for depositing remote-controlled car lock keys in each parking area," said another tweet of the Delhi Police.

On Sunday, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana had said over 27,000 police personnel have been deployed for security duties in the national capital and anti-terror measures intensified in view of Republic Day.

These personnel, include deputy commissioners of police, assistant commissioners of police and inspectors, sub-inspectors. Police personnel, commandos, officers and jawans of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have also been deployed, he had said.

On Republic Day security arrangements, Asthana had said 27,723 Delhi Police personnel including 71 DCPs, 213 ACPs and 753 inspectors have been deployed in the capital for the parade. They are being assisted by 65 companies of CAPFs, reported Zee News.

He had mentioned that the anti-terror measures taken include blockades (nakka bandi) at various places, checking of vehicles, hotels, lodges and dharamshalas and various verification drives like that of tenants, servants, labourers.

About traffic arrangements, Asthana had said an advisory has already been issued stating specific restrictions on routes so that no inconvenience is caused to the general public.

According to a recent order, operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, including UAVs, paragliders and hot air balloons, over the national capital has been prohibited in view of the Republic Day celebrations.

The order came into effect on January 20 and would remain in force till February 15.