Bombay is preparing to celebrate its biggest festival amid growing cases of coronavirus

MUMBAI, Sept 9 (Reuters) – As India’s financial capital, Bombay, prepares for its biggest festival of the year, daily coronavirus cases have risen, more than doubling in less than ‘a month, even when the authorities imposed restrictions to avoid another tip.

Markets were bustling and streets were filling as people prepared for the 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, celebrating the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha, which begins on Friday.

Coronavirus cases in the city, which were at a low of 190 on Aug. 16, reached 530 infections daily on Wednesday, according to government data. Bombay recorded a maximum of 11,000 cases during India’s devastating second wave this year, but it won praise for its way of recovering and curbing infections. Read more

Most coronavirus-related restrictions have been lifted in the city, including its famous local trains, which are now open to fully vaccinated travelers. But as the Ganesh festival approaches, authorities have imposed scrutiny on public processions and restricted crowding to public prawns, temporary structures built to protect a shrine.

Before the coronavirus outbreak hit the city, thousands of people took to the streets to pray to the imposing Ganesha idols, which are placed in almost every street corner by local organizations and politicians, and the last festival day, to submerge these idols in the sea.

This year, citizens are banned from visiting these prawns and the city’s civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, suggested that only ten people, preferably fully vaccinated, should accompany the idol by diving.

“The third wave is not coming. It is already here,” Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar told reporters this week, urging citizens to stay home and celebrate the festival.

As the festival season begins in India, several states are gearing up for a possible third wave of coronavirus. Read more

On Thursday, the health ministry said 43,263 new cases were reported overnight, bringing its cumulative burden to 33.14 million.

Shilpa Jamkhandikar reports. Edited by Gerry Doyle

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