October 13, 2020: This Durga puja, the priests will not be able to perform Durga puja without undergoing Covid-19 tests.

This is one among the various guidelines laid down by the Assam government for the coming Durga Puja. Health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma on Tuesday announced an SOP for the celebration of Durga Puja amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The SOP includes:

1) Priests and organisers of the puja committees will have to undergo compulsory Covid tests on the day of Panchami and again on Dashami.

2) Arati will be allowed, but no cultural function or competition will be barred.

3) Puja Pandals have to be closed for devotes at 10 PM.

4) No immersion rallies to be allowed.

5) The Pija Pandals have to be open with proper ventilation facility.

6) Pandals should have separate ENTRY and EXIT gates.

7) Use of mask and sanitiser compulsory before entering a puja pandal.

8) Not more than 50 people to be present at a time inside a pandal.

9) Restaurants will have to be shut by 9 PM.

10) Pillion riding for children, women allowed.

While announcing these guidelines, Dr. Sharma cautioned that the second wave of Covid 19 may come in the winter. This time, the situation could be more dangerous if people lower the guard ion the Durga Puja, he said.

The minister informed that the number of Covid cases has come down in last few days. So far, test of 10% samples of the states population have been tested. In Guwahati, 6 lakh tests have been conducted.