Curbs on New Year parties at hotels

CHENNAI: The Chennai police have announced several restrictions and guidelines for hotels organising New Year parties, including setting 1.30 a.m. as the deadline for winding up the celebrations.
Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran, at a meeting with hotel representatives on Tuesday, said they should inform the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned about the special programmes/events. They should obtain structural stability certificate if they planned to erect a stage. The hotels should also install surveillance cameras at vantage points.
Swimming pools should remain closed from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1. Liquor should be served only at the bar, Mr. Rajendran said. “Liquor should be served only up to 11 p.m. We have asked them to wind up the celebrations by 1.30 a.m.”
Mr. Rajendran said hotel authorities must ensure that there is no eve-teasing. While restricting the number of tickets/passes, the hotel staff should ensure that guests in an inebriated condition do not drive vehicles. Such guests should be accommodated in the hotel till a driver is arranged. All vehicles entering the premises should be thoroughly checked.
Mr. Rajendran said the hotel authorities have been told to inform employees that they should alert the police in case they came across any unclaimed baggage on the premises. “Such parties can be soft targets…we have asked them to take basic security measures to ensure that the celebrations are incident-free.”
Hotels should not allow guests to park their vehicles on the road. Steps should be taken to make alternative parking arrangements. “If foreign nationals are engaged to perform, they should have necessary travel documents. Our idea is to ensure that each and every guest is identified. Night patrolling will be intensified and adequate police personnel deployed across the city during the celebrations,” Mr. Rajendran said.