Bhilai, Sep 22: In the wake of Coronavirus Pandemic, District Administration has imposed restrictions on the Navaratri and Durga Puja celebrations this year. These restrictions are being imposed to prevent bigger gatherings and spread of virus infection.
According to orders issued by District Administration, the height and width of idol should not be more than 6×5 feet. Further the pandal for installation of idol should be not more than 15×15 feet size. There must be open space of 3000 square feet infront of the pandal. Two pandals should be 250 meters apart. Any separate pandal with seating arrangement for devotees or office bearers should not be installed. Not more than 20 people should be present at a time in the pandal.
The puja committee would maintain a register and note down the names, address and mobile numbers of all the visitors. This will help in tracing the contacts in case any visitor is found infected. The person / committee organising Durga Puja will install at least four CCTV Cameras so that contact tracing could be done easily. Any devotee would not visit the pandal without mask. Legal action would be taken against such violators. The organisers will arrange sanitizers, thermal screening, oxymeter, hand wash and queue management system at the puja pandal. Any person suffering from fever or having symptoms of Corona Infection would not be allowed to enter the pandal. To ensure physical distancing, the committee would put barricading with bamboo sticks and make separate arrangements for entry and exit.
If some person gets infected due to visiting pandal, the entire expenses of his treatment would be borne by the organizers. Idol installation would be banned in containment areas. Further during puja, if the area is declared containment zone, the puja would be concluded immediately.
Any bhandara, bhog, jagrata or cultural programmes would not be allowed during idol installation, immersion or thereafter. Any kind of musical instrument, DJ, sound amplifier, would not be allowed. Prasad, Charanamrit, or any food / drink material will not be distributed. Only one vehicle will be allowed for carrying idol for immersion. Vehicles above the size of Pickup / Chhota hathi will not be allowed. There should not be any decoration on the immersion vehicle and only four persons will be allowed to move for immersion. The vehicle will not stop at any place on the route between pandal to water body. The vehicles will move on the route fixed by the local civic body. Any kind of welcome, bhandara, prasad distribution should not be done on the route. Idol immersion will not be allowed after sunset.
Permission must be sought from the local civic body for installation of idols. Further the organisers will ensure compliance of SOP issued by Health and Family Welfare Ministry on June 04, 2020.
