Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that the state will take a cautious view on re-opening of religious places and hinted that permission may be granted post Diwali festivities to avoid over crowing in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic. "We are considering to reopen schools after Diwali while taking all precautionary measures. Religious places will also be allowed to open," Thackeray said while addressing the people of the state today. In a webcast, Thackeray said he is getting flak for going slow on reopening of places of religious worship. "I am ready for brickbats if it ensures good health and safety of citizens. How to avoid crowds and ensure physical distancing in places of worship will be worked out and a standard operating procedure will be drafted after Diwali." "We are so involved in offering prayers and may neglect COVID-19 safety protocols. What if a coronavirus positive person infects senior citizens from our families who visit the places of worship he said.He also stressed on the importance of wearing a face mask whenever stepping outside. "A COVID-19 patient moving without face mask in crowd can infect around 400 persons," Thackeray said. He added that wearing of masks will be mandatory in places of worship.Thackeray appealed to the citizens to avoid bursting firecrackers as pollution can affect COVID-19 patients.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that the state will take a cautious view on re-opening of religious places and hinted that permission may be granted post Diwali festivities to avoid over crowing in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic. "We are considering to reopen schools after Diwali while taking all precautionary measures. Religious places will also be allowed to open," Thackeray said while addressing the people of the state today. In a webcast, Thackeray said he is getting flak for going slow on reopening of places of religious worship. "I am ready for brickbats if it ensures good health and safety of citizens. How to avoid crowds and ensure physical distancing in places of worship will be worked out and a standard operating procedure will be drafted after Diwali." "We are so involved in offering prayers and may neglect COVID-19 safety protocols. What if a coronavirus positive person infects senior citizens from our families who visit the places of worship he said.He also stressed on the importance of wearing a face mask whenever stepping outside. "A COVID-19 patient moving without face mask in crowd can infect around 400 persons," Thackeray said. He added that wearing of masks will be mandatory in places of worship.Thackeray appealed to the citizens to avoid bursting firecrackers as pollution can affect COVID-19 patients.