During the protests by the BJP and other religious organisations, the Maharashtra government announced on Friday that all places of worship would reopen from October 7. The Chief Minister’s Office tweeted: “All places of worship will reopen from the first day of Navaratri, October 7, 2021, with the observance of all COVID-19 safety protocols.’’ Thackeray’s nod comes as the second wave of Covid is retreating and the state government has undertaken a pile up measures to fortify health infrastructure to combat the possible third wave.
However, the number of Covid patients is currently declining, we need to be more careful. The government is taking a good care and gradually relaxing restrictions, said the CMO. Even if religious places are open to devotees, rules of health must be followed there. “Covid-appropriate behaviour, including face masks, safe distance, and sanitisation must be followed,’’ the CMO elaborated, adding that it would be the responsibility of the management committees of religious places to ensure that Covid norms were strictly observed.
