Assam Govt Issues SOP for Durga Puja 2021, Timings & Other Details Inside

GUWAHATI: Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta today announced that a set of rules and restrictions to be followed by the people of Assam during the period of Durga Puja 2021, to be held later in the month of October.

Assam Health Minister Kesab Mahanta addressing the media said:

> Committees will have to take DC's permission before organising the puja.

> All puja committee members have to submit their COVID19 vaccination certificate (for at least one vaccine dose) to DC while taking permission to organise the puja.

> Puja mandap must be open on all sides and spacious to maintain social distance. All Mandaps have separate entry and exit gates.

> Puja Committee should provide sanitisers at the pandal entry gates and masks and only should be given to people who are wearing masks.

> No Mela and Bazar will be allowed

> On the day of Panchami, all pujaris and people associated with the puja will be tested for COVID19. Further, they will be tested again after the Dashami.

> On visarjan day the DCs of the respective districts will notify the puja committee.

> No gathering allowed

> Curfew will remain from 9:00 PM until further notice. Further, the puja rituals should be completed in the stipulated time frame.

> The minister has urged the organisers of the Puja committees to follow the protocols. The Mandap and Pandals have to be sanitised before and after the Puja.

> The statutes should not be too large and no cultural programmes will be allowed.

> Citizens below 18 years are exempted from these protocols.

On the other hand, the state government is aiming to complete the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination before October 12.

More details are awaited.