Assam: Here is the list of complete COVID-19 guidelines for 'Durga Puja 2020'

Guwahati: The Assam Government has released a comprehensive list of do's and don'ts for the Durga Puja 2020 celebrations. This year, the celebrations will be a bit low-key owing to the ongoing pandemic situation.

How to get permission to organize Durga Puja?

The organizers of the puja committees have to take permission from the district administration of the concerned district.

The district administration will convene a meeting of all the puja committees or organizers for a detailed protocol for the Durga Puja.

In view of the COVID-19 situation, the organizers have been asked to make the pandals spacious and "open" from all sides.

Not more than 10 to 30 persons can aggregate at a time depending on the size of the pandal.

Strict restrictions on crowding will be applied during 'Aarati' also.

Masks and hand sanitizers must be mandatory for all the visitors visiting a pandal.

Organizers must also keep masks handy for visitors who visit without masks.

Similarly, hand sanitizes should be kept at the entry gate and exit gate of the Durga Puja pandal.

Before puja starts, on Panchami, the volunteers, priests, and organizers must get mandatorily tested for COVID-19.

This year, the devotees should bring flowers from home to avoid congestion at the flower distribution and collection point during the offering of 'anjali.'

Moreover, there will be no distribution of prasad or community feasting, and packs of the same may be distributed to the residences.

Additionally, the puja committees must close down the venues at 10:00 PM and ensure this strictly.

Meanwhile, a dry day shall be observed from the day of the Dashami to the immersion process. Restaurants shall be closed at 9:00 pm and takeaway food will be allowed.

For the Durga Puja 2020, the Assam government has placed a great emphasis on the usage of print, electronic, and social media, and dissemination of the same.

What rules are to be followed during immersion?

The immersions this year will be low-key, and minimum people should attend attending to all COVID norms. In all activities, sanitizing, usage of masks, and physical distancing should be ensured.

The immersion shall be planned in a staggered manner during the day. Processions shall not be allowed and idols will be immersed by a maximum of 10 persons.

Meanwhile, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that pillion riding on two-wheelers shall be banned for men.

This year, several Government departments -- such as the PHE, and the Power Department -- will keep provisions to provide extra help to the committees during the Durga Puja 2020 celebrations.

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