Bhubaneswar: The extended night curfew in the twin cities of Odisha ended on Wednesday (October 20).
To check the spread of COVID during the festive season, the Odisha government had decided to extend the duration of the night curfew in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by two hours (8 pm to 5 am instead of 10 pm to 5 am) from October 11 to 20.
The twin cities will be under night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am like the rest of the state on the remaining days of October.
There is a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers across the state for the entire duration of the month. The district and municipal administrations have been authorised to impose restrictions on the entry of devotees to places of worship depending on the local conditions.
Also Read: Night Curfew Extended By 2 Hours In Bhubaneswar & Cuttack During Durga Puja
In lieu of this, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued fresh guidelines for the other festivals to be observed till November to curb transmission of the virus in the city, which has almost 74 per cent (3558 of 4785) of the active cases in the entire state.
No congregation will be allowed at Bindu Sagar, river ghats and other water bodies on the occasion of Kartika Purnima and Boita Bandana. Congregation of ‘Kartika Brata Habishayalis’ in temples during the month of Kartika is prohibited as well.
Like Durga Puja, Laxmi puja and Kali puja will be conducted without any public participation. The idol size will be less than 4 feet. The mandaps or pandals will also be covered on all sides and there will be a ban on public darshan.
Also Read: Restrictions On Boita Badana In Bhubaneswar To Continue For 2nd Year; Check Details
There will be no religious procession or musical or entertainment programme by the puja committees, clubs, or public. No immersion procession will be allowed. If required the idols will be immersed in artificial ponds created by the BMC.
