Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday urged people not to crowd during the Ganesh festival (August 22) and follow guidelines about the height of idols and their immersion.
Thackeray was speaking at a review meeting with top officials through video conference where Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope were also present.
"The forthcoming Ganeshotsav which comes against the backdrop of COVID-19 crisis should be celebrated peacefully, keeping social responsibility in mind," Thackeray was quoted as saying in an official statement.
"Care should be taken to avoid crowding and it should be ensured that the disease does not spread," he said.
"Guidelines say that the height of idols installed by sarvajanik Ganesh mandals should be (maximum of) four feet and that of idols installed at home be two feet."While following this guideline, no processions should be taken out before installing and immersing idols to avoid crowding," he said.
Ganesh mandals should facilitate online 'darshan' of idols, Thackeray said.
People should wear masks, clean hands and observe discipline as the vaccine is not developed yet, the chief minister said.
Home minister Deshmukh also directed the police to keep an eye on mischievous videos on social media.
He also asked local government bodies to create a maximum number of artificial ponds to avoid crowding during immersion of idols.