Durga Puja, 2020 : Maximum 30 persons inside pandal, no immersion procession, guidelines issued

On the eve of Vishwakarma puja, Government of Assam issued guidelines for the forthcoming vishwakarma puja as well as Durga Puja.

As per the guidelines issued by the Chief Secretary, Assam the ensuing Durga Puja is set to be a Low-key celebration with a number of restrictions in the ambience due to this pandemic situation.

The guidelines are:

1) There shall be no mela etc., in and around pula pandals.

(2) No temporary pandals shall be allowed to be erected on and by the side of any street.

(3) A maximum of 30 persons inclusive of organizers and priests shall be allowed to gather at any time in Puja pandals.

(4) A maximum of 20 devotees shall be allowed to gather at any Puja premises subject to there being sufficient space to maintain social distancing.

(5) Puja organizers should not allow any person to enter Puja premises without face cover and washing of hands. It will be the responsibility of Puja organizers to arrange for facilities for hand washing/ sanitization at entrances of Puja premises.

(6) In case any person/ visitor to puja pandal is suspected to be symptomatic with COVID-19, it will be the responsibility of the Puja organizers to inform the nearest government medical facility and arrange for shifting of such person to the nearest COVID treatment centre.

The Deputy commissioners of respective Districts shall make necessary arrangements to ensure that immersion is staggered over a three-day period to avoid congestion and large gathering on any day.