Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued fresh guidelines, including strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, for holding congregations and large events ahead of Durga Puja and Ramleela celebrations. In an order, Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman of DDMA's state executive committee Vijay Dev said all event organisers will have to obtain requisite permission from concerned district magistrates for organising the events besides obtaining permission from all other authorities as per applicable laws and rules.

The order said it may be noted that the restriction on gatherings and large congregations imposed by DDMA order on the 30th of last month, stands withdrawn only to the extent of allowing gatherings and congregations for celebration of upcoming festivals till 31st of this month.

The DDMA order said fairs, 'melas', food-stalls (inside and outside the event venues), 'jhoolas, rallies, exhibitions and processions will not be permitted during festivals in Delhi till October 31.

The latest report received from the national capital's COVID-19 tally rose to 3.09 lakh yesterday with 2,780 fresh cases, while the death toll climbed to 5,769 as 29 more people succumbed to the disease. The total number of cases in the national capital stands at 3,09,339. Of the total cases reported in Delhi so far, 2,81,869 have either recovered, been discharged or migrated.

A total of 36,23,419 tests have been conducted in the national capital so far.