With COVID-19 under control, Gujarat govt allows garba

With COVID-19 cases in Gujarat under control, there is some good news for garba goers in the state.  The state government has decided to allow garba in housing societies and residential areas. However, only 400 people will be allowed for the dance festivities.

The nine-night festival of dance, which former chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi had claimed to be the longest dance festival in the world, begins on October 7.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi.

However, for the BJP government, it is a case of once bitten twice shy. It had not allowed garba in party gatherings and clubs. The Vijay Rupani-led government had faced flak for its alleged failure to handle COVID-19.

Earlier this year, garba organisers had requested the state government to allow the event as not allowing it would have an adverse impact on the industry that thrives on the business during the festival.

Last year, garba festivities were not held in Gujarat due to the pandemic.

The state government has also reduced the timing of curfew in eight big cities, including Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

The curfew, which is from 11 pm to 6 am, will now be in force from 12 mid night to 6 am from September 25.

There has also been a relaxation in the number of people allowed to attend marriages and social gatherings. The number has been raised from 150 to 400. For the last rites of the deceased, the number of persons who are allowed to attend has been raised from 40 to 100.

Restaurants will not be able to operate at a sitting capacity of more than 75 per cent.