No festival celebrations will be allowed in containment zones as informed by Government today.
The Health Ministry on Tuesday issued the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Festivals is coming and urged people in containment zones, and vulnerable populations to celebrate festivals at their homes.
It was for both the public as well as local authorities. These SOPS are to be followed between October and December.
A string of festivals like Dussehra, Durga Puja, Diwali, and Christmas will be celebrated in this period.
FESTIVAL GUIDELINES: HEALTH MINISTRY STATEMENTS
“Festive events shall be permitted only outside the containment zones. Organizers, staff and visitors from containment zones shall not be permitted. People residing inside these zones may be encouraged to observe all festivals inside their homes and not move out,” the Health Ministry added.
It said that the festivals, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions and concerts associated with the festivities are mass event.
And these advised the administrative requirement such as identification of spatial boundaries and preparation of a detailed site plan in compliance with thermal screening, physical distancing, sanitisation etc.
“In case of events that run for days or weeks, the crowd density doesn’t remain the same throughout and usually peaks around certain hours of the day and some previously known auspicious days. Planning for the event should specifically factor this so that crowds are regulated and managed to ensure physical distance and frequent sanitisation,” the guidelines added.
READ ABOUT RALLIES AND IMMERSION PROCESSIONS
In case of rallies and immersion processions, the number of people should not exceed the prescribed limit. Proper physical distancing and wearing of masks must be ensured.
In any case, the number of such rallies and the distance covered by them may be kept within manageable limits.
The move is an attempt to ensure festival crowds do not fan further spread of the disease in the country. Our country already has the world’s second-most number of cases.
The Health Ministry said that the events such as rallies, and processions spread over long distances would require support of ambulance services.
Events planned to last for many days or weeks such as exhibitions, fairs, puja pandals, Ramlila pandals or concerts and plays should have adequate measures to ensure a cap on physical numbers.
“Staggered timings and restricted entry may be considered. Volunteers should be appropriately stationed to ensure thermal scanning, physical distancing and wearing masks. The guidelines issued for theatre and cinema artists will apply to stage performers. Adequate supplies of sanitisers, thermal guns and physical distancing floor markings to be ensured,” the Centre added.
Close circuit cameras would be considered to monitor compliance of physical distance norms, wearing of masks at each venue.
FESTIVAL GUIDELINES: OTHER MEASURES
Other measures include identification of specific areas for such activities and the provision of ample medical and emergency-care facilities.
Besides the mandatory masks and sanitisers, the SOPs also require the presence of ambulances and COVID-19 awareness activities and material at the venues.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Persons above 65 years of age or below 10, those with comorbidities, and pregnant women have been advised to stay at home.
Check the full list of guidelines here- https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/StandardOperatingProceduresonpreventivemeasurestocontainspreadofCOVID19duringfestivities.pdf
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