Maharashtra unveils guidelines for upcoming festivals; Garba & Dandiya events not allowed

On Tuesday, Maharashtra government anunced detailed guidelines for celebration of Navratri, Durga Puja and Dasara amid vel coronavirus crisis. As per state's directive, se festivals will be celebrated in a simple manner. In a big change, Garba or Dandiya event can be organised. It is mandatory for administration and police to implement rules for curbing spread of COVID-19. Additional guidelines might be issued in lead-up to commencement of aforesaid festivals. 

Read: 8 Crore People Surveyed Under Maha's Anti-COVID-19 Campaign

Here are guidelines:

• Navratri mandals have to obtain requisite permission from local authorities
• decoration of Goddess' idol should be done in a simple manner
• height of idol for mandals and individuals will be restricted to 4 and 2 feet respectively
• As far as possible, idol should be environment-friendly and should be immersed at home. If this is t possible, idol can be immersed in dedicated places
• Only voluntary donation should be accepted. re should be an attempt to propagate health-related awareness such as 'My Family, My Responsibility' scheme
• Garba, Dandiya and or cultural functions to t be organised. Instead, priority should be given to organising health camps
• In case of Aarti, Bhajan or Kirtan, care should be taken to avoid crowding and observing ise pollution-related rms
• Online darshan to be encourd
• Measures such as physical distancing, rmal scanning, etc. to be undertaken by mandals. 
• procession will be permitted eir for arrival or immersion of Goddess' idol
• Artificial ponds shall be created for immersion
• ritual of burning effigy of Ravana will be restricted to a very small number of people. audience shall t be invited to view ceremony

Read: India's COVID-19 Recoveries Highest In World; Crosses 50 Lakh Mark: Health Ministry

A surge in COVID-19 cases

On Monday, September 28, Maharashtra recorded 11,921 new vel coronavirus cases, propelling state's COVID-19 tally to 13,51,153. At present, re are 2,65,033 active cases in state. With 19,932 COVID-19 patients discharged in day, number of recovered soared to 10,49,947. 180 deaths were reported on Monday, marking a significant reduction in number of fatalities as compared to September 27(380 deaths). 

Until w, a total of 35,751 persons have died owing to COVID-19. So far, 66,22,384 samples have tested for vel coronavirus in labs operational across state. While 19,75,923 persons are under home quarantine, 29,922 ors have been admitted to institutional quarantine centres. COVID-19 positivity rate, recovery rate, and fatality rate in Maharashtra stands at 20.4%, 77.71%, and 2.65% respectively. 

Read: Coronavirus LIVE Updates: ICMR Releases 2nd Serosurvey Findings; Delhi DyCM Discharged