THOUGH national health guidelines have restricted gatherings on Phagwah, which will be celebrated on Sunday, March 28, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Secretariat has taken note of advertisements of “Phagwah parties” and will be heightening monitoring efforts on that day.

“We plan to do enforcement on a daily basis but especially on those days that they (businesses) signalled that they are going to breach these measures,” Director of the NCTF Secretariat, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, told this publication in an invited comment.

His comment came amid concerns that local businesses and organisations will continue to host Phagwah celebrations, despite the national restrictions that are in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and the resulting infection of people.

Some businesses have signalled that there will be Phagwah celebrations at secret locations; one business on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) has blatantly posted a flyer of a “Phagwah party” that will be held at its premises.

On Wednesday night, during an address to the nation, President Dr. Irfaan Ali noted that while there are several religious and cultural events ahead of the country over the next few weeks — including the celebration of Phagwah and Easter and the observance of Ramadan — citizens should adhere strictly to the approved COVID-19 guidelines.

“The COVID-19 Task Force has been asked to pursue charges against owners of establishments that are found in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines,” he underscored.

The Task Force, which incorporates members of the Joint Services, will be keenly monitoring activities on Sunday to see whether establishments are breaching these COVID-19 restrictions.

Phagwah is a national holiday which is drawn from the Hindu culture. It ushers in the season of spring and just as the flowers blossom into their beautiful colours at springtime, so too would persons colour each other brightly — whether with coloured powder or water.

In Guyana, aside from the religious activities, Phagwah is usually a grand celebration that thousands of Guyanese participate in. This year, due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, Phagwah celebrations will be restricted.

According to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Phagwah events at the mandirs, including cultural programmes, chowtaal samelan and satsangh/services, are only allowed at 40 per cent capacity. These guidelines state that mandirs are encouraged to utilise their outdoor spaces where available.

As part of the Phagwah religious observances, Holika is usually burnt the night before. Members of mandirs and other spectators usually go to the space where the Holika plant has been planted to burn it on the eve of Phagwah. This year, however, the Health Ministry emphasised that only socially distanced gatherings for the burning of Holika are allowed.

Large Phagwah events, involving hundreds or thousands of persons, are strictly prohibited. Similarly, Phagwah gatherings on trucks, canters or other vehicles carrying alcohol are not allowed. This means that there should be no grand celebrations at the National Stadium, the Everest Cricket ground, community centres or other similar spaces.

Instead, persons are encouraged to celebrate within their home circles. Masks must be worn at all times, the six-feet social distancing guidelines should be maintained and there should be frequent hand washing and sanitising, the ministry said.