Jaipur to host more than 3000 weddings in next week amid rising COVID-19 cases

Even as the whole of Rajasthan is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases and night curfew has been imposed in several parts of the state, capital city Jaipur is set to host more than 3000 weddings over the next week, posing a grave threat to people's lives amid the pandemic outbreak. Officials fear that the infection may spread rapidly in the city due to such events. 

“We have received applications for permission to more than 3,000 weddings in the month of November. The permission is being given offline and online,” Additional District Collector-Jaipur, Shankar Lal Saini told PTI. 

Out of these, majority of weddings will take place today, on the occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi', and up to 100 people are allowed to attend a marriage function. Other auspicious days for marriage in the month of November are November 27 and November 30.  

Saini said the situation is alarming because the infection is spreading at a fast pace. 

“It is certainly a challenging situation in view of the increase in COVID positive cases. The district administration and police officials are constantly making people aware about the need to follow guidelines like maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks,” he said. 

Taking into account the sudden spike in the cases in the last few days, the state government has imposed night curfew in eight district headquarters, including Jaipur, from 8 pm to 6 am. However, those attending marriage functions are exempted from it. The official said the state government has also increased the penalty amount from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 if more than 100 people gather in marriages and other events. The fine for not wearing masks has also been increased from Rs 2000. 

“The district administration and police officials will be in the field to check any violation, and action as per the guidelines and government orders will be taken,” he said. 

Rajasthan recorded 19 more fatalities due to coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the state to 2,200, according to a health department bulletin. The state also reported 3,314 fresh COVID-19 cases which mounted the infection tally to 2,50,482, it said.