States say no to Holi celebrations amid Covid-19 case surge

Several states and Union territories, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, have imposed restrictions on public gatherings on Holi amid a massive increase in coronavirus cases. People across states continued to violate Covid-19 norms and carried out celebrations on the eve of Holi. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were among the states where large-scale violation was reported. The UP government ordered people arriving for Holi celebrations from other states witnessing Covid-19 surge need to undergo tests. Citizens willing to hold public programmes need to take prior approval for it. In Madhya Pradesh, authorities have imposed a complete ban on celebrations at public places across 11 districts, including state capital Bhopal, and ordered closure of shops and religious places.