Will there be restrictions during Durga Puja? Govt urges people to celebrate upcoming festivals with caution

Aug. 28: With the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, almost all festivals including Durga Puja were celebrated amidst reasonable restrictions. In 2021 too, government has been applying brakes upon the celebration of festivals. With Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bengalis knocking around the door, devotees are indeed worried. Many are anticipating that, this year too, Durga Puja could be a low-key affair as there are chances that the government may likely impose various restrictions during festivities.

The Centre on Thursday said the second wave of COVID-19 is not over yet and urged people to celebrate the upcoming festivals with caution. September and October are crucial in the management of the pandemic, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said. The Centre said 58.4% of the total COVID-19 cases in India last week were reported from Kerala.

Addressing a press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “The months of September-October are crucial amid the festive season.” Saying that COVID vaccines are disease modifying and not disease preventing, he added that it is very important to use mask even after vaccination.