COVID-19: Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple shuts down to curb virus spread

In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, has shut its doors to visitors from today. The temple would remain closed to public until further notice. It being one of the most visited temples attracts a number of visitors every day, and this move comes in the wake of avoiding public gatherings and keeping the virus at a distance.
Before this, the temple administration was taking all the necessary precautions to avoid the spread of the virus but has now announced to close it until further notice.

While speaking to the media, Siddhivinayak Temple Trust Chairman, Adesh Bandekar said that they are providing sanitizers to all the visitors, and the railings that people hold on to while in queues were also being cleaned in every 30 minutes. He also added that they have taken all the preventive measures and have provided masks to all the security guards. People visit the temple in thousands to catch a glimpse of Lord Siddhivinayak; however, during such times, taking precaution is of utmost importance, he maintained.
Also, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray earlier asked the district collectors to ensure that there is no crowding at religious sites in view of the Coronavirus outbreak, though worship might continue. Further, after a review meeting in Mumbai, the Chief Minister announced several measures and directed people not to hold meetings or political events.
As of now, Maharashtra is dealing with the maximum number of Coronavirus cases. To control this situation and help people not to panic, the Maharashtra Government has invoked the Epidemic Act.

The Siddhivinayak Temple becomes the latest shrine in the country to close down due to the threat of Coronavirus. Besides this, temple authorities at Maharashtra's Shirdi and Kerala's Sabarimala have already asked devotees to postpone their visit for the time being.