Holi and Shab-e-Barat celebrations banned in Nagpur
The civic body in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on Friday issued a notification banning Holi celebrations and Shab-e-Barat processions in public and private places amid the rise in COVID-19 cases. The state government has already imposed strict restrictions in Nagpur till March 31. "Holi celebrations and Shab-e-Barat processions will not be permitted in private and public spaces," the notification stated.
Private establishments, offices, shops will remain shut on March 29
According to an order issued by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, not more than five people will be permitted to gather at public places during the festivals on March 28 and 29. The NMC has further stated that all private establishments, offices, shops, markets, and libraries will remain shut on March 29.
Grocery, vegetable, and meat shops to shut after 1 pm
"Apart from this, all stand-alone grocery, vegetable, and meat shops will have to down their shutters after 1 pm on March 29," it was stated. "Nagpur district recorded a single-day spike of 3,579 COVID-19 cases and 47 deaths on Thursday," an official said.
Cases continue to rise in Nagpur
"The infection tally has now reached 2,07,067, while the toll has risen to 4,784," the official said. As many as 1,67,464 patients have recovered from the infection so far, he said, adding that the district is now left with 34,819 active cases. With the addition of 16,064 swab samples tested on Thursday, the total number of tests conducted in the district has reached 15,41,183.
Many more places have banned festive gatherings
Meanwhile, Karnataka has also decided to ban Holi, Ugadi, Shab-e-Barat, and Good Friday celebrations across the state amid the rising COVID-19 cases. Haryana has also banned public celebrations of Holi. Rajasthan, Delhi, and Mumbai have also banned public gatherings, processions, and congregations during upcoming festivals Holi and Shab-e-Barat amid fears of the second wave of COVID-19 and surge in infections.
