Bhubaneswar: In view of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government Friday imposed restrictions on celebration of festivals and religious events in the month of April.
Good Friday, Easter, Pana Sankranti, Jhamu Yatra, Danda Yatra and Ram Navami are some of the festivals scheduled in the month of April. In order to avoid congregation during these festivals, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) issued a fresh order, announcing imposition of restrictions.
“During the religious events, people usually congregate and get in touch with each other. Such congregations have a potential to cause spread of the virus,” the SRC said.
While celebration of religious events in the open have not been allowed across the state, rituals in temples, churches and at other places of worship will continue as usual but with limited number of persons and by following COVID-19 protocols.
At the same time, the SRC directed Collectors and Municipal Commissioners to impose appropriate restrictions as per their local conditions on entry of devotees into the religious places including churches and temples. It is up to them to decide the number of persons to enter temples, churches and other religious places, the SRC added.
Those found violating the order will be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws, the SRC warned.
PNN