Mumbai: BMC allows reopening of religious places from Oct 7

The government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for devotees and management of the places of worship. Representation pic

After the state government's announcement on reopening of religious places, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has followed suit, approving reopening of all religious places with 50 per cent capacity from October 7 - the start of Navratri festival - while maintaining all COVID-19 protocol.

The state government's guidelines on reopening of religious places released last Friday suggested staggering of visitors by the trust or board of the place of worship along with local authorities. The BMC, however, approved 50 per cent of the capacity.

The government already issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for devotees and management of the places of worship. Senior citizens, people with comorbidities, pregnant women and children aged below 10 years are advised to remain at home. Wearing face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitisers will be mandatory. The restrictions include non-distribution of prasad, no sprinkling of holy water, no touching of statues, idols or holy books. There should be separate entry and exit points for devotees. The management of religious places will be responsible for implementation of such measures.