Mangaluru: No darshan will be allowed during weekend curfew at any place of worship in the district, including the Kukke Subramanya Temple and Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner K V Rajendra has said.

He told reporters on Wednesday that places of worship will be opened for darshan only on the other days, but the managements should make sure devotees follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and curb crowding.

He said that during this weekend, the administration will allow relaxation for pre-scheduled social, religious and cultural programmes such as weddings and other social gatherings such as Yakshagana, Nemotsava, Kambala, Urus and other such events but entry should be restricted to 100 people for indoor gatherings and 200 for outdoor events.

He appealed to people to postpone social, religious and cultural events until the Covid situation is under control.

During the weekend curfew, only grocery shops will be open and people who have to travel by train or flight can reach the railway station and airport by showing their tickets. Students are allowed to travel to colleges if they have exams during weekends.

On Wednesday, Rajendra held a meeting with the expert committee, health officials and representatives of the hotel industry, bus operators, malls and theatres to chalk out measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the district.

He urged the business establishments to self-regulate and ensure that customers followed Covid-appropriate behaviour.

In view of the spike in Covid cases in Kasaragod district, he said that the challenges are many.
He said he had directed deployment of addition staff on inter-state borders to intensify surveillance. All Covid teams of the administration will be reactivated. Rajendra also visited Talapady on Wednesday.