Chennai: Ahead of the 5-day Ganesh Chathurti celebrations, the Karnataka government on Sunday issued a Standard Operating Procedure that will not permit celebrations or immersion of the Ganesh idol with more than 20 people. The government has also banned processions of the Ganesh idol and said that no function will take place in districts with more than 2% of COVID-19 positivity rate.
According to ANI, the SOP of the Karnataka government said, "No more than 20 people will be allowed for celebrations and immersion of Ganesha idol. No celebrations will be allowed after 9 pm. Night curfew to remain in effect during the festival."
The Karnataka government has also banned processions and said that only eco-friendly Ganesha idols will be allowed. The government has prohibited the distribution of food and prasad during celebrations.
All the more, the government said that no functions will be allowed to take place in districts with more than 2% of positivity rate.
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The SOP was released after Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday consulted the cabinet on permitting the celebrations for Ganesh Chaturthi after pressure within the party folds to provide relaxation for holding Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. However, experts advised against the celebrations since it can lead to a spike in COVID-19.
Karnataka on Sunday reported 983 new COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths. The highest COVID-19 cases emerged from Dakshina Kannada with 162 people testing positive for the virus followed by Udupi with 97 people and Mysuru with 89 people testing positive for COVID-19.
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 10 this year and the state governments are imposing SOPs for their respective states.