The Hindu community across the country has been asked to maintain proper health guidelines while observing the festivals of Durga Puja from October 11 to 15 in view of the ongoing pandemic situation.
Maintaining proper religious solemnity, some restrictions have been imposed on the puja mandaps across the country, including maintaining social distancing, said an emergency notification issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The notification said that all priests and worshipers must wear masks.
Hand washing system and hand sanitizer must be kept at the entrances of all the temples where Durga Puja will be celebrated.
If necessary, body temperature should be measured with a thermal scanner at the entrance, it added.
Puja-orchona in major temples, including the Ramakrishna Mission Temple, Dhakeshwari Temple, Jai Kali Temple, Ramna Kali Temple in the city should be conducted according to strict hygiene rules.
All have to maintain social distancing for the immersion of idols.
The use of sound-instruments is restricted and the use of loud instruments is discouraged during Azan and Namaz in the puja mandapas adjacent to the mosques.
By following the proper health rules, all religious rituals, worship, good deeds, immersion of idols and other activities can be observed.
In case of violation of the above instructions, the local administration and law enforcement agencies will take legal action against the responsible persons.
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The local administration, law enforcement agencies and the puja mandap management committee have been requested to implement the aforesaid guidelines to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
