KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court Wednesday allowed up to 45 people to enter Puja pandals, softening their previous order by declaring the pandals as no-entry zones.
On Monday, the superior court had ordered that all Durga Puja Pandals in the state were to be treated as buffer zones and no one was to be allowed in. No entry signs should be posted outside the pandals and restricted visitor movement at a distance, the court said.
While the larger Puja committees will maintain a distance of 10 meters, the smaller ones will restrict the viewing of idols and interiors from 5 meters for all pandal hoppers. Sixty club representatives can enter the pandal during the day, but only 45 people are allowed at a time.
Dhakis have been allowed into no-entry zones by maintaining social distancing protocols.
In Kolkata alone, the crowds on the streets can rise to 5-6 lakh for pandal jumping. The court noted that people should enjoy Pujas practically this year due to the pandemic.
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