No gathering on Holi, Eid & Easter as MP fights Covid

No gathering on Holi, Eid & Easter as MP fights Covid

Sunday Shutdown In Betul, Ratlam, Khargone & Chhindwara Too

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:25.03.2021 

Battling a surge in Coronavirus cases, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet on Wednesday banned public gatherings on Holi and extended Sunday lockdown to four more cities — Betul, Ratlam, Khargone and Chhindwara.

“Vigilance is a must in view of the increasing cases of Corona in the state. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the principle of ‘Meri Holi-Mere Ghar’, limiting Holi to our homes,” CM Chouhan said. Not just Holi, large gatherings are prohibited on Shab-e-baraat, Easter and Idul-Fitr as well. The decision came on a day MP recorded 1,712 Covid cases — a new high every day— and the active case count crossed 10k.

Minister for medical education Vishwas Sarang said, “All religious gatherings are prohibited. Every district will appoint a crisis management committee that will hold meetings with religious heads and prominent citizens to advise against crowded celebrations.” “The cabinet decided that Holi this year will be celebrated with a new slogan — ‘Meri Holi Mere Ghar’ (My Holi at My Home). No procession or crowded celebration will be permitted,” Sarang said.

No lockdown in state, says Shivraj

CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday reiterated that the state will not go into lockdown. “Lockdown will not be imposed in the state, but the other necessary restrictions will be imposed,” he said at a discussion with journalists in Barwani. At a public event, he advised the anchor to wear his mask properly and warned people that if they do not wear masks, they will become infected with Coronavirus.

Wedding guests capped at 50

Clubs, swimming pools, gymnasiums and cinemas will remain closed. There will be no sit-and-eat at restaurants. They will be open only for takeaway and home delivery,” the minister added. The number of cities under Sunday lockdown has increased to seven — Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur have already had a Sunday shutdown (10pm Saturday to 6am Monday) following a government order of March 19. However, registry offices and treasury offices will remain open on Sunday March 28. “Schools and colleges will remain closed till March 31,” Sarang said.

After a long discussion, the cabinet capped wedding guests at 50 and those attending a funeral at 20 in towns and cities where more than 20 Covid cases are being reported per day. For mrityubhoj, only 50 people will be allowed. TNN