Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government has finally allowed Durga Puja celebrations with established safety protocols under the pandemic.
Durga Puja pandals can now hold religious or cultural events in the open, provided all guidelines for Covid containment, like social distancing and the wearing of masks is followed.
A restriction on the number of people has also been imposed on events taking place in an enclosed space, where only 50 per cent of the hall’s capacity and up to a maximum of 200 people, will be allowed to attend.
The new guidelines will come into force from October 15 and Navratri starts from October 17.
The government decision has unleashed a wave of joy among the Durga Puja committees who have already plunged into making preparations for the festival.
“We spent the entire Thursday night, drawing up plans for the Durga Puja celebrations because we have less than a fortnight to go. We are thankful to the Chief Minister for allowing us to hold the Durga Puja celebrations,” said Anand Banerjee of a Durga Puja committee in Jankipuram area.
It may be recalled that the Samajwadi Party and the Congress had urged the Chief Minister to allow Durga Puja pandals to be held in the state.
