In the midst of an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on March 23 announced that Holi celebrations will not be permitted in both private and public places.

The circular, issued by BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, said that considering the surge in cases and in view to avoid any crowding in the city, ‘Holi Dahan’ or the burning of Holi fire on March 28 and ‘Rangpanchmi’ celebrations on March 29 will not be allowed.

Action will be taken against violators under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The order also says that penal action will be taken against those found flouting the government order barring congregations on the upcoming Holi festival.

It is anticipated that gathering, congregations and public celebrations like Holi, may pose a considerable threat of the spread of the virus and may cause a setback to the appreciable gains made in the suppression of chain of transmission of COVID-19 cases.

News Edit by K.V.Raman