Medical experts believe that older people are at higher risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
Bombay:
Maharashtra temples – closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic – will reopen “soon,” Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Sunday, adding that SOPs to guard against overcrowding and minimize transmission of the COVID-19 virus would be broadcast after Diwali. He also said that schools – also closed since March – would also reopen for grades 9 to 12 after Diwali.
Mr Thackeray, who has been urged to sanction the reopening of places of worship in the state, said he had resisted because of the risk to the elderly who visit them. Medical experts believe older people (over 60) are at greater risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
“When will the temples open? They will open soon. After Diwali, we will create SOPs for this. The elderly visit the temples and they are at risk (of contracting Covid). Therefore, overcrowding should be avoided … either temples, masjids or any other place, ”Thackeray said.
The chief minister said that although the SOPs will be released later, wearing a face mask when visiting places of worship in the state will be mandatory. He put particular emphasis on this and warned people that those without a face mask would be fined.
“People criticize me but I am ready to face it. I am careful for the seniors. If a person positive for Covid is without a mask, he can infect 400 others … these are medical figures,” he said. he declares.
The reopening of temples in the state had sparked a bitter row between Mr. Thackeray and Governor BS Koshyari early last month; the governor, in a sarcastic letter, asked the chief minister if he had “become secular”.
The Chief Minister replied that his Hindutva did not need a certificate of authenticity and that the government would take a decision on this matter after “careful consideration”. Mr. Thackeray also reminded the governor of the ideal of secularism and his oath to the Indian Constitution.
