Uddhav Thackeray urges people in state to not drop their guard and continue COVID-19-appropriate behaviour in view of a possible third wave of the pandemic
Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/Ashish Raje
The Maharashtra government on Friday announced the reopening of all religious places from October 7 — which is the first day of Navratri — in the state with COVID-19 protocols, a move that comes amid indication that the second wave of the pandemic is ebbing.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who made the statement, urged people not to drop their guard and continue COVID-19-appropriate behaviour in view of a possible third wave of the pandemic. “Although the number of COVID-19 patients is currently declining, we need to be more careful. Even if religious places are opened to devotees, the rules for health safety must be followed. Face mask, keeping a safe distance, disinfectant must be adhered to. The management of religious places will be responsible for implementation of such measures,” said Thackeray in the statement on Friday night. Thackeray said, “The Maharashtra government has prepared itself for a third wave, but with all precautions, the state is allowing relaxations in various activities.”
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been demanding the reopening of temples and other places of worship in Maharashtra for a long time. Last month, the BJP had staged protests in several cities of Maharashtra in support of its demand.
After the first wave waned, places of religious worship were reopened in Maharashtra in November last year, but they were shut down again for people after the second wave started in the state in March 2021.
With inputs from agencies
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