Dima Hasao DC issued guidelines for celebrating Durga Puja

HAFLONG: The Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao, Paul Barua briefed mediapersons about the set of standard operating system for the ensuing Durga Puja, urging people to follow the guidelines in order to check the spread of COVID-19 in the district.

As per the guidelines issued by the Health and Family welfare department, citizens, organizers and the administration are to strictly follow the health and safety norms. COVID-19 test is mandatory for the Puja organizers and priests before puja starts on Panchami day and after immersion on Ekadasi.

As informed by the DC, the organizers are to ensure separate entry and exit in a spacious open pandal with adequate space for arrangement of physical distancing of at least one metre distance. Management is to take measures to avoid crowding at all costs and not more than 10 to 30 persons can assemble at a time depending on the size of the pandal. Proper use of mask is mandatory for all pandal visitors and hand sanitizer is to be kept at the entry gate and exit gate of puja pandal. The pandal is to be sanitized twice in a day, once in the morning and evening along with nearby areas.

In order to avoid devotees getting close to the priest for offering anjali, microphone must be used. Devotees should bring flowers from home to avoid congestion at the flower distribution and collection point during offering of anjali. No distribution of prasad in the pandal or community feasting is allowed. Packet distribution of prasad may be done.

The DC further elaborated that all puja pandals must be closed for the devotees at 10 pm and pillion riding with women or children below 15 years only is allowed. Organizing cultural programme before, during and after puja days is restricted. There is also restriction on organizing mela, fairs, setting up food stall, road side food stall/ temporary restaurant to avoid crowding. Restaurants are to close by 9 pm. Emphasis on print and electronic media has also been stated so as to optimize generation of mass awareness. Low profile inauguration of pandal and immersion of idol with proper plan is to be done in coordination with the district administration.

Further, the Deputy Commissioner had earlier issued an order regarding shifting of immersion site to Diyung River from Haflong lake considering convenience and smooth conduct of the event.