Chovoth: the way forward

 The administration has tightened its grip in a bid too avoid it becoming a super spreader especially with regard to the Sarvajanik Ganapatis.

Last year the situation had worsened during the chovoth with no protocols or SOPs followed during the celebrations.

The coronavirus cases which were mostly low last year escalated during the celebrations. Goa saw more than 500 cases for the first time last year.

Now, the fear of third wave of covid has started. Most of the Goan population has still not got the second vaccine dose, so the danger is still quite real.

Salcette Deputy Collector Jyothi Kumari held a meeting with Sarvajanik Ganepati Utsav Committees to take their suggestion on celebrating this year's Chovoth by maintaining  Covid SOPs.

Mormugao Municipal Council convened a joint meeting with representatives of around 18 Sarvajanik Ganapati Mandals to discuss and decide on guidelines for celebrating Sarvajanik Ganapati in the Jurisdiction.

It was decided that Sarvajanik Chovoth celebrations would be held for only two days in the port town and visarjan would be done in slots between 6pm to 10pm.