Ahmedabad: The Government of Gujarat has released guidelines for upcoming festivals of Navratri Garba, Dussehra, Diwali, Bestu Varsh and Sharad Poonam with effect of 16 October 2020.

As per the decision taken by the State government, no public events of Garba will be allowed in the State during Navratri.

Garbi and Murti installation and pooja and aarti will be allowed at open spaces during Navatri but touch (charan sparsh) of photo or murti will not be allowed.

Similarly distribution of prashad will also not be allowed.

રાજ્યમાં જાહેર કે શેરી ગરબા સહિત કોઈપણ પ્રકારના ગરબા યોજી શકાશે નહી.માત્ર મૂર્તિ કે ગરબી સ્થાપન,પૂજા, આરતી વધુમાં વધુ 200 વ્યક્તિની ઉપસ્થિતિમાં SOPના પાલન સાથે કરી શકાશે.તે સિવાય કોઈ ગરબાના આયોજન કરી શકાશે નહી. માત્ર માતાજીની આરતી પૂજા જ કરી શકાશે પ્રસાદ વિતરણ પણ નહિ: રાજ્ય સરકાર

— દેશગુજરાત ગુજરાતી (@DeshGujaratG) October 9, 2020

Permission of local administration will be required.

Gathering of more than 200 persons will not be allowed.

Duration of such events will be limited to one hour.

All Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will need to be followed.

In areas other than containment zones, social, educational, entertainment, cultural activities, religious functions will also be permitted with certain conditions.

Six ft physical distance and floor marking for the same will be required.

Proper wearing of face masks will be required.

Thermal scanner, sanitizer, oximeters will be required.

Sanitization of stage, mic and chairs will be required.

Hand wash and sanitizer facility will be required mandatory.

Spitting and consumption of pan – masala – gutkha will be completely banned during the functions.

Those older than 65 or younger than 10, pregnant mothers and other suffering from diseases are advised not to participate.

If such functions are held at halls, hotels, banquet halls, auditoriums, community halls, town halls or other closed places, maximum 200 people will be allowed in 50 per cent capacity of hall.

Wedding and wedding receptions will have limit of maximum 100 participants.

Funeral /religious ceremony post death will have limit of 100 persons.

Fairs, processions, exhibitions, Ravan dahan, Ramlila etc mass events are banned.

DeshGujarat