BCCL
The SOP states that for festival-related travel, if residents cross the Goa border for bringing home Ganpati idol for personal use or sale and leave Goa, and return within 24 hours, they won’t be asked to undergo quarantine or COVID-19 tests. Provided that they make an ‘entry’ to that effect with staff on duty at Goa border check posts.
Residents of Goa going out of the state for celebration, do not need an ‘exit permit’. However, on their return, the existing protocol will be followed, the government said.
The height of the idol should be limited to 4 feet so that no more than six people are required for installation and immersion.
Aarti should be limited to only the presence of 10 people, and no tirth prasad and Mahaprasad should be offered.
The police and the local bodies will monitor markets selling items for the festival to make sure the social distancing norms are being followed. All the shops in the market should make available hand sanitizers for all customers.
The guidelines also said that entertainment programmes are strictly prohibited, and the community celebration should only be allowed by local bodies on a case to case basis. The community celebration committees must make efforts to live stream religious proceedings to ensure no overcrowding and maximum community participation.
Detailed guidelines can be obtained here.