In view of ongoing Covid19 pandemic, the State Government has issued specific guidelines for upcoming Diwali/Kalipuja-2020. The Chief Secretary, being the chairman of the State Executive Committee, issued the guidelines under the Disaster Management Act 2005. The guidelines are applicable for clubs, Puja committees and household pujas. Separate guidelines will be issued for Diwali at Tripureswari temple.
As per the guidelines, no mela or large gathering at the Kali temple premises will be allowed in Agartala and other parts of the State. The guidelines also advised the organizers to avoid Prasad distribution and community feasts.
For all the puja organizers, Pujas must be held ensuring social distancing and no recreational programme could be organized on the day of Puja and next days. people should refrain from bursting firecrackers and in this case, guidelines of Science, technology and Environment department must be followed strictly.
In the case of community pujas, pandals must be constructed at open space and there without any hindrances. Maximum height of Kali idols must not exceed 5 ft. Puja committees must mark the places for devotees and revellers ensuring 1 ft distance. After consulting with the security personnel, puja organizers should deploy an adequate number of volunteers to ensure social distancing and manage the crowd.
To prevent large gatherings, Puja organizers must refrain from elaborate illumination and lighting.
Organizing Committee members, volunteers and devotees must wear masks and organizers must arrangement of adequate masks to be distributed among devotees who would come to pandals without masks. Also, availability of hand wash or hand sanitizers at common area and entry point must be made.
At three times, pandals would be sanitized. Moreover, ropes or Bamboo barricades should also be sanitized frequently and proper arrangements should be made to this end. All the puja organizers must arrange a thermal screening and in case any devotee is found with high temperature, organizers must immediately contact concerned local health authority.
In the case of puja at individuals’ household, the number of invitees should be kept limited within 15-20 and everyone must wear a mask and maintain social distancing.