The Delhi government announced on Thursday (September 30, 2021), that the Chhath pooja celebration would be prohibited in public places, public grounds, riverbanks, and temples due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the city.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) issued an order advising the public to perform Chhath pooja at their homes.
According to the DDMA order, COVID prevention measures in Delhi will be maintained until November 15, 2021.
It stated that, "Chhath pooja celebration shall not be allowed in public places/public grounds/river banks, temples etc in Delhi and public is advised to celebrate the same at their homes".
This comes after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal presided over a DDMA meeting earlier on Wednesday to prevent any resurgence of infection in the run-up to the festive season.
The meeting was attended by Delhi Government Ministers Satyendra Jain and Kailash Gahlot, AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria, and senior officers from NITI Aayog, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).