Religious places in Maharashtra to open from Monday, face masks compulsory: CMO

All religious places in Maharashtra will reopen for devotees from Monday, November 16, after several months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) informed on Saturday.

Speaking to the media, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Jayant Patil said, "The decision has come at the right time when the number of corona patients is low. The rules will be the same for all the religious places. The use of masks, stizers would be mandatory. Social distancing is very important."

The COVID-19 situation in the state has considerably improved in the last few weeks, with 4,132 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, along with 4,543 recoveries and 127 deaths.

As per the state health department, the total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 17,40,461, including 84,082 active cases, 16,09,607 recoveries and 45,809 deaths.

( With inputs from ANI )