Odisha bans Holi, Dolayatra celebrations in public places

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday banned ‘Holi’ celebration and congregation for Dolayatra celebration and related rituals in public places throughout the state in view of resurgence of Covid-19.

The government said the festival have a potentiality to cause spread of Coronavirus.

“People may celebrate ‘Holi’ with family members in their houses only and not in any public places including public roads,” the State Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said in a notification.

The sacred festival of ‘Dolayatra’ and ‘Holi’ are approaching and people usually congregate and get in touch with each other to celebrate the festivals and play colours during which use of face masks and physical distancing norms are not able to be adhered to and such congregations have a potentiality to cause spread of the virus,” the SRC notification read.