Only 500 allowed for Mys Dasara finale; -ve cert must

Only 500 allowed for Mys Dasara finale; -ve cert must

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru/Mysuru:06.10.2021

With the Dasara festival beginning on Thursday, the Karnataka government on Tuesday said only a maximum of 500 people will be allowed to attend Jumboo Savari (elephant procession) on Vijaya Dashami that marks the culmination of the nine-day festival at Mysuru Palace on October 15.

Guidelines issued by the government mandate a negative RT-PCR test report and at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine for officers and staff on duty and artists who perform at the festival.

Other attendees must wear facemask, maintain distance and ensure hand hygiene, the guidelines said.

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MYSURU DASARA

One vax dose a must for all participants, say guidelines

The local administration led by the district minister was urging the chief minister to allow at least 1,000 participants for the Dasara finale. But the CM turned down the request on the advice of the Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee. Last year, 50 participants and 300 viewers were allowed for cultural events in the festival.

Senior BJP functionary and former Congress chief minister SM Krishna will inaugurate the state’s flagship event atop Chamundi Hills on Thursday morning. Number of attendees for this event is restricted to 100.

According to guidelines, all participants, including government officials, will be asked to possess a negative RTPCR report (from a test done after October 4) to be allowed into the venues. They should have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine and carry proof of the same, the order read.

The order said that “strict compliance with the guidelines” was necessary to “prevent the spread of Covid-19” and added that the events which cannot be held with proper social distancing will remain cancelled.

Though a low-key Dasara due to Covid-19 restrictions, all events, including the inauguration, Jumboo Savari, cultural events and the Vijayadashami procession, will be livestreamed so that people are not deprived of the annual cultural events. “Arrangements have been made to use social-media platforms to telecast the events real time,” Mysuru district minister ST Somashekar said.

Heavy police security will be ensured at important venues where cultural events will take place.