Jharkhand is contemplating stricter restrictions on Holi festivities in the wake of a rise in Covid-19 cases in the state lately, officials of the home, prison and disaster management department said on Wednesday, adding that Holi Milans (gatherings) are likely to be allowed only for limited people this time around.

A highly placed official said that ministers were likely to meet officials and take a call on restrictions for Holi. The meeting, he said, was likely to be held before March 25, and the government may issue guidelines for Holi celebrations on the same day.

State disaster management secretary Amitabh Kaushal, however, said that Jharkhand was following guidelines set by the Centre, adding that a prohibition on processions during festivals was already in force as per the Centre’s guidelines.

“No decision has been taken regarding restrictions during Holi as of now. The restrictions, as per the last order by the state government, are already in place, and any decision of imposing additional restrictions would be taken by the top most authorities in the state,” said Kaushal.

Neighbouring Bihar recently imposed a ban on Holi Milan fearing a second wave of Covid-19 in the state. Several thousand Jharkhand residents also return home from Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana and New Delhi for Holi. These states have witnessed a spike in the cases of Covid-19 infection, and people returning home for the festival could become carriers of the virus, officials said.

Holi Milan events usually include cocktails and lunch. Doctors fear that Holi festivities may trigger a spike in cases as the festival of colours cannot be celebrated while maintaining social distancing. “If people smear colour on each other and come in close contact, then there is obviously a fear of transmission. We need to be extra careful during Holi,” said Dr Prabhat Kumar, coordinator of the Covid Task Force at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

The count of active Covid-19 cases in Jharkhand has jumped from 466 on February 17 to 577 on March 17, as per data with the health department. Ranchi has been the worst-affected district in the state. The district alone has contributed almost 70 per cent of the spike in Jharkhand, and active cases here have jumped from 247 on February 17 to 346 on March 17. The rising number of active cases indicates that fresh cases outnumbered recoveries during the past one month.