Mumbai: As Maharashtra battles with the novel Coronavirus flare-up, the state government on Friday issued guidelines for the people to keep in mind while celebrating Diwali.
The administration has encouraged individuals to celebrate the festival of Diwali with simplicity.They requested that the individuals must not swarm in public spots and to use masks, sanitizers and to not let children and senior citizens out of the house.
The Maharashtra government has banned public cultural functions during the Diwali festival and has also appealed to people to not burst firecrackers to avoid the pollution that causes respiratory ailments amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The state home department issued guidelines in this respect on Thursday evening.
In the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, it cited the health of coronavirus patients both the people who are infected and the ones who have recovered as a concern. The guidelines request the citizens to not burst fire crackers and to celebrate the ‘festival of lights’ by lighting lamps.
This time no open projects will be permitted however online festivals are supported. It additionally pushing the reason for blood gift camps this Diwali rather than social projects. Sort out and give blood, lead neatness crusades the rules said.
“The people recovered from Covid-19 infection may suffer again due to the air pollution emerging out of bursting of the crackers. To avoid it, people should restrain from bursting them. Instead, the festival of light should be celebrated by lighting diyas in big numbers,” the advisory says.
The guidelines have also banned organising culture programs at public platforms. It has said that the programs, typically musical programs early morning on the first day of Diwali may be telecast through cable TV, Facebook or any other online platform. The government has also recommended organising health related events like blood donation camps, awareness programs instead of cultural events.
Meanwhile, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers at public places during Diwali in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the city. Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani announced on Thursday that violators shall be penalized and the SOPs in this regard would be issued shortly.