Durga Puja 2020: Check Out Covid-19 Guidelines to be Followed During Pandal Hopping

• Prior permission has to be taken from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) or the District Magistrate to conduct any event, which will be granted after full inspection of the venue.

• Closed events can host only upto 50 per cent capacity with an upper limit of 200 people.

• For outdoor events, social distancing norms must be strictly followed.

• Entry without masks will be prohibited.

• There will be separate gates for entry and exit.

• Organisers have to record video of the event to be checked by the authorities to ensure rules are being followed.

Covid-19 guidelines to be followed across West Bengal

• All Durga Puja pandals will be treated as containment zones.

• A maximum of 25 members of a Puja committee can enter a pandal.

• Organisers must ensure pandals are spacious. They must be open from all sides and separate entry and exit points should be made.

• Puja rituals have to be staggered to ensure people attend in smaller groups

• Cultural programmes are banned inside the pandals.

• Priests would use microphones to recite prayers so that people could hear them from a safe distance.

• Organisers have been asked to use electronic and social media to reach maximum followers in a virtual manner.

• Inauguration ceremonies have to be minimalist affairs. Pre-allocated ghat timings have to be followed for idol immersion.