Pune: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has urged all brothers and sisters from the Christian community to celebrate Christmas simply amid the COVID-19 spread in the state. Apart from announcing night curfew in urban limits between now and January 5, the Maharashtra Home Department has also declared some guidelines of Christmas celebrations in the state.

In an official statement, Deshmukh called for practising social distancing norms, wearing masks and using sanitisers to alleviate the spread of the contagion.

Check out the detailed guidelines below:

· The Mass organised in local churches for Christmas should not have more than 50 people at a time.

· The authorities should keep a strict check that physical distancing is maintained and the premises of the church is sanitised regularly.

· All must wear a face mask.

· Only 10 people should be allowed in a single choir.

· Microphones used by the choir should be cleaned.

Meanwhile, the state has authorised district collectors outside municipal limits to impose the night curfew to curtail the spread of COVID-19. District Collectors must seek approval from the Chief Secretary to impose it. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with District Collectors, Divisional Commissioners and Police in the light of the situation in the UK.

Also read: Christmas 2020 Pune: No handshakes no embracing; Check out the guidelines issued to celebrate Xmas

The Maharashtra government declared a night curfew in municipal corporation areas as a precautionary measure due to rising fears about a new coronavirus strain emerging in Britain.