Assam Govt issues “Special Advisory for Durga Puja”; height of idols restricted

Oct. 1: The Assam Government on 1 October, 2021 issued revised Covid-19 guidelines, according to which, shops, business establishments etc. will remain open till 9 PM, whereas Covid curfew would begin at 10 PM and continue till 5 AM. This will come into effect from 2 October, 2021. Along with this, the state government has also issued “”Special Advisory for Durga Puja”.

1. There shall be no Mela etc. in and around the Puja pandals.

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

3. A maximum of 40 persons inclusive of organizers, devotees and priests shall be allowed to gather at any time in the Puja pandals subject to there being sufficient space to maintain social distancing.

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

5. All visitors to Puja location shall be subjected to thermal scanning by Puja organizers and no person with any symptom related to COVID-19 shall be allowed to enter the Puja pandals.

6. All organizers and volunteers must be at least vaccinated with one dose of vaccine and preferably with two doses of vaccination.

7. 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 persons to the nearest COVID treatment centre.

8. No permission for immersion procession shall be given under any circumstances.

9. The size of the idol should be such that not more than three persons are required for immersion. For smooth and convenient immersion, it is advised that puja organizers may go in for a modular idol which is assembled from parts. the height of which should not be more than 10 feet. Further, it is advised that in case of an idol made of compact monolithic material, the height may be confined to a maximum of 6 feet for smooth immersion. Deputy Commissioners shall make necessary arrangements to ensure that the immersion is staggered over three day period to avoid congestion and large gathering on any one day.