Pujas, festivals to be celebrated with Covid restrictions in Odisha: SRC

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena on Friday urged the residents of the State to have a good time the upcoming pujas and festivals with Covid restrictions.
While addressing the individuals of the State at 4.30 PM at the moment, Jena stated that the second wave of coronavirus remains to be there within the State. The every day constructive instances within the State now hover between 600 and 1200. However, reviews of latest variant of the virus have now come to the fore in numerous elements of the world.
“When we look into the past, we can see that the COVID cases rose after the Kumbh Mela and Onam celebrations. Therefore, we should not congregate in temples and mandaps but follow the Covid guidelines strictly while celebrating the upcoming pujas and festivals,” he stated.
“After a meeting with the members of different puja committees, local MP and MLAs of Cuttack city, the State government decided to keep the festivals in a low-key manner in view of the Covid19 pandemic. Therefore, the 4-ft cap on idol height at puja mandaps/ pandals to remain in force,” the SRC stated.
The COVID restrictions relating to the celebration of pujas and pageant which was issued on August 9 will proceed within the state, added the SRC.
The following tips are issued within the curiosity of the well being of most of the people and for containment of the unfold of COVID-19:
It is hereby directed that congregation for celebration of the above festivals/puja and related spiritual and cultural congregations shall not be allowed in public all through the State.
However, spiritual rituals in church buildings/ temples/mosques/locations of worship will proceed as common with a restricted variety of individuals with strict adherence to Covid protocols.
The residents are allowed to watch the stated Pujas/ festivals of their premises with out inflicting any congregation at anywhere and sustaining all security protocols, reminiscent of social distancing, carrying masks, correct sanitisation, and many others.
The Puja Committees/organizers/ in rural and concrete areas are allowed to conduct puja in mandaps/ pandals as per the next directions:
For conducting Puja in Puja Pandals/ Mandaps, the organizers shall apply to and procure obligatory permission from the District Magistrate or another officer authorised by him/ her. For the world below Commissionerate of Police of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, such permission shall be given by the Commissioner of Police of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar or another officer authorised by him/ her.
Puja(s) shall be carried out in indoor-like situation just for observance of rituals with out public participation, pomp and grandeur.
Puja Pandals/ mandaps shall be lined on three sides. The 4th aspect shall even be lined in a manner to not permit any public view of the idols. There shall be no darshan by public/ devotees.
The dimension of the idol shall be lower than 4 ft.
There shall be no use of public handle system.
At any given level of time, there shall not be greater than 7 individuals together with organisers and clergymen and help workers current within the puja pandal/ mandap.
The individuals current at puja pandal/ mandap shall comply with all Covid protocols of social distancing, masks use, private hygiene and sanitation issued by Central/ State Government/ Local Administration in letter and spirit.
The organizers and different individuals concerned in conducting the Puja shall abide by another situation(s) as imposed by their native Administration/ applicable authority.