Follow Covid rules on Christmas, New Year: Calcutta HC – Times of India

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court has asked the state government to ensure all Covid regulations are followed during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Ruling on the PIL filed by Howrah resident Ajay Dey, division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastav and Justice Rajarhi Bharadwaj directed the state to ensure that Covid SOPs are followed during celebration of all festivals in future. The state pollution control board had announced a window of 35 minutes from 11.55pm to 12.30am for bursting of environment-friendly crackers during Christmas and New Year. The Calcutta HC had earlier banned the bursting of all crackers but the Supreme Court subsequently reversed the order, by saying only green crackers could be used during the celebration.
Last year, the Park Street Carnival was held with 50% seating capacity but food stalls were not allowed inside Allen Park. This year’s carnival is still in the works. The first meeting has happened but choirs and programmes are yet to be lined up. “There will be music but celebrations might have to be low key if the HC orders so. Crowding will definitely not be allowed,” said Fr Dominic Gomes, vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Kolkata, a key member of the Carnival planning committee. Last year. midnight mass did not happen and mass had to be completed by 8pm at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Church. “The CM had attended it. We are in the process of planning this year’s mass and will abide by the court’s directives,” Fr Gomes said.
At St Paul’s Cathedral, 50% seating capacity was followed for the Christmas Eve mass last year. This year’s plan is yet to be firmed up.