COVID-19 has hit the festival of Diwali just as it affected the other celebrations. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned the use of firecrackers this Diwali, except on Laxmipujan only in private premises of housing societies. The decision comes in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Strangely, the sale of fireworks has not been banned.

Civic officials said that as firecrackers have been banned in public and private premises, their sale will not be possible. Traders have said this will cause them losses as many have put up stores just for the sale of firecrackers. A trader from Andheri west, said, "It is late in the day for this decision, as we already got our stock and now there will be no sale for us."