Cultural programmes with maximum 200 people allowed during Durga Puja: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allowed organising cultural programmes during Durga puja with a maximum of 200 people at a time if there is sufficient available space to maintain physical distancing.   

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (October 13) announced that cultural programmes with up to 150 people in attendance will be allowed during the Durga Puja, and her government would consider raising the cap to 200 people if the space is bigger.

The chief minister said at an event, “We have allowed gatherings of 100 people if all COVID-19 protocols are followed. If you get bigger spaces, you can also allow gathering of 200 people but do not organise such programmes near Puja pandals. Then it will be difficult for the police as well as the puja committee to handle the crowd.”

Also read: Double decker buses to run on Kolkata streets during Durga puja

Empathising the problems faced by artists during the lockdown, Mamata Banerjee said, "Artists have faced serious problems as no programmes were allowed due to COVID.”

The chief minister urged the people to wear masks and maintain physical distance.

Mamata Banerjee said, "The disease is spreading alarmingly now. In Maharashtra, they have issued an alert. Please wear masks to protect yourselves. Sanitise your hands properly and always try to maintain physical distance.”