Assam govt issues guidelines for Durga Puja; no permission for immersion procession

Sept. 16: In view of ensuing Viswa Karma and Durga Puja and keeping in mind the present situation of COVID-19 the a slew of guidelines were issued by the Chief Secretary of Assam on 16 September, which shall be  applicable in the entire state.

• There shall be no Mela etc in and around Puja pandals.
• No temporary pandals shall be allowed to be erected on and by the side of any street
• A maximum of 30 persons inclusive of organisers and priests shall be allowed to gather at any time in the Puja pandals
• A maximum of 20 devotees shall be allowed to gather at any Puja premises subject to there being sufficient space to maintain social distancing
• Puja organisers should not allow any person to enter the Puja premises without face cover and washing of hands. It will be the responsibility of Puja organisers to arrange for facilities for hand washing/ sanitization at entrance of Puja premises.
• No permission for any immersion procession shall be given under any circumstances. Maximum of 5 persons shall be allowed to complete the ritual of immersion.
• All visitors to Puja location shall be subjected to thermal scanning by Puja organisers and no person with any symptom related to COVID-19 shall be allowed to enter the Puja pandals
• In case any person/ visitor to Puja pandal is suspected to be symptomatic with COVID-19, it will be the responsibility of the Puja organisers to inform the nearest Government medical facility and arrange for shifting of such person to the nearest COVID treatment centre.

Viswa karma & Durga Puja guidelines issued by Government of Assam. @assampolice pic.twitter.com/AzZqEwN9cd

— GP Singh (@gpsinghassam) September 16, 2020

The order issued by the Chief Secretary further specified that the Deputy Commissioners shall make necessary arrangements to ensure that immersion is staggered over three day period to avoid congestion and large gathering on any one day.