Places of religious worship in Maharashtra, which have been shut since the COVID-19 lockdown in March, will reopen from Diwali 'Padwa' on Monday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Saturday. <br /> <br />As per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) released by the state government, religious places located out of COVID-19 containment zones will be allowed to remain open as per the timings decided by authorities, and devotees will be allowed inside in a staggered manner. <br /> <br />Extending greetings to people on the occasion of the festival of lights, he said in a statement: "We can't forget that the demon coronavirus is still amongst us. Even though this demon is slowly falling silent now, we cannot be complacent. Citizens need to follow discipline." <br /> <br />Watch the full report.
