Panaji: The Goa government on Friday introduced the cancellation of the official celebrations of the indigenous peasant festival (Shigmo), Holi, Navaratri and Shab-e-Barat because of the rising COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant instructed the Legislative Assembly throughout the ongoing Budget Session, that the SOPs needs to be adopted strictly in public occasions like festivals and weddings, whereas additionally urging lodges to not host giant gatherings on the event of the upcoming Holi festival.
“The government is cancelling Shigmo due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in Goa. Health comes first, festivals can be held every year,” Sawant instructed the state Assembly throughout Zero Hour.
Shigmo will be celebrated in small numbers at native temples, he mentioned.
Shigmo, or Shishirotsava is a spring festival celebrated in Goa. Reckoned because the indigenous variant of the Portuguese-oriented Carnival, the Hindu festival of Shigmo, is marked by the boisterous celebration of color and music and adorned float parades in varied elements of the state.
It can also be a notified state festival and is well known by the Konkani group.
Through an order issued by the Health Ministry late on Friday, the Goa government additionally introduced a ban on public celebration of upcoming spiritual festivals in the state. amid “a fresh surge in Covid cases”.
“All authorities shall ensure that public celebrations and gatherings, congregations during these upcoming festivals like Holi, Shab-e-Baratm Navaratri, etc shall not be allowed in public places, parks, markets in the state of Goa,” the order issued by underneath secretary (Health) Gautam Parmekar mentioned.
Sawant has already directed lodges and resorts to desist from internet hosting giant holi-themed events on their premises, to curb the Covid unfold.
