The Maharashtra state government has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) on precautionary measures to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during Diwali celebrations and urged citizens to avoid exploding fireworks to reduce noise and air pollution.

State Health Minister Rajesh Top said Thursday that he prefers a Diwali without fireworks this year to reduce air pollution and prevent an increase in coronavirus cases.

Top said: "We call on people to have a Diwali celebration without fireworks and we are sure that people will cooperate to improve the health of the people in general. Smoke from fireworks is bothersome to people. In the context of the Coronavirus outbreak, we should have Cookie-free Diwali. "

Maharashtra currently has the highest number of cases and deaths from infection with the highest number of active patients in Pune, Thane, Mumbai, Nashik, and Nagpur.

Chandrapur, Raigad, and Satara. The state has recorded 1,698,198 injuries so far and 44,548 deaths since the first case on March 9.

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