Delhi's religious places can open, with curbs

Religious places in Delhi were closed on April 19 this year when a surge in Covid-19 cases left the city’s health care infrastructure overwhelmed and forced the government to impose a lockdown.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has permitted religious places in the city to allow worshippers even as it prohibited them from organising large gatherings and congregations.

DDMA has not specified any cap on the number of visitors at any given point of time at religious places. (PTI)

“Religious places shall be permitted to open for visitors and devotees subject to strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOP) and adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour (viz wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing, use of sanitiser, etc). However, large gatherings and congregations shall not be allowed,” said the DDMA in an order issued on Thursday night, a copy of which HT has seen.

Religious places in Delhi were closed on April 19 this year when a surge in Covid-19 cases left the city’s health care infrastructure overwhelmed and forced the government to impose a lockdown.

As the surge began to ebb, the government allowed religious places to open from May 31, but restricted them from allowing worshippers.

DDMA has not specified any cap on the number of visitors at any given point of time at religious places.

In a separate order on Thursday, DDMA allowed Ramleela, Dussehra, and Durga Puja festivities in public spaces, subject to a range of conditions. These include restricting shops and stalls will not be allowed both inside and outside venues, visitors cannot exceed seating capacity in venues at any point. The authority did not, however, allow Chhath Puja celebrations at public places in the national capital.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, president of the Delhi State Gurudwara Management committee, said, “Safety of people is paramount. Gurudwaras in the city have permanent staff as well as volunteers offering their service every day. They can help with improving crowd management and adherence to Covid-19 regulations.”

Rev. Prateek Pillai of St James Church in Delhi said, “We have been live streaming prayers and rituals since March in the light of the pandemic. We will continue doing so for while and keep a close eye on the Covid-19 trends in the weeks to come.”

Vrajendranandan Das , the director of communications for ISKCON, which has a number of temples spread across the world, said, “It is a welcome move, especially at a time when several festivals will be celebrated in the coming weeks.”

Mohammad Ansar ul-Haq, assistant PRO at Delhi’s Jama Masjid, said: “Jama Masjid has been very strict about following Covid-19 regulations and we will continue that. We will ensure social distancing, mask compliance, and other Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. It is good to see devotees being allowed to visit the mosque after such long gap.”

Durga Puja this year will be celebrated between October 11 and 14, Dussehra on October 15, Diwali on November 4, and Chhat Puja on November 10.