The Holi Restrictions Checklist in a Pandemic Year

Holi, and many other festivals like Navratri and Ramadan, are just around the corner and people across India are getting ready to celebrate, albeit with certain precautions. You may&nbsphave noticed that many people have got pandemic fatigue, and stopped following COVID-appropriate behavior. But, with cases peaking again, people are wondering if it's okay to have any kind of Holi celebrations.  

Several state governments have come up with restrictions on festivals in order to curb the spread of the virus. Read on to see what they are. 

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For organising processions on Holi

&bull The Karnataka government has restricted the gathering of people for upcoming festivals like Holi, Shab-e-Barat and Good Friday. People are not allowed to gather even in parks, markets, public grounds and in religious places.

&bull Gujarat has banned celebrations and gathering of people.

&bull Holi celebrations are also banned in Haryana.

&bull The Delhi government has announced that it won&rsquot give permission for celebrating upcoming festivals like Holi, Navratri, and to let people gather in general.

&bull In Mumbai too the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned people from gathering.

&bull For organising any event or procession in Uttar Pradesh, prior permission from administrative authorities is required.

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Other rules

&bull There are no restrictions for visitors coming to someone&rsquos house. However, the usual precautions and protocols of safety and hygiene have to be taken.

&bull For those traveling inter-state, there would be random testing for coronavirus in railway stations, bus stops and airports of Delhi. In Karnataka, it is compulsory to carry a negative COVID-19 RT PCR report if they are traveling to Bengaluru. In Uttar Pradesh, it is mandatory to have been tested for coronavirus for those who are coming from places which have high incidence of cases.

&bull If people get permission to host processions from the authorities, it is mandatory to wear masks, sanitise, and maintain physical distancing. People who are older than 60 years of age or are below 10 years of age are not permitted to attend these events.