Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Guidelines issued to ensure safety from Covid during festival season

Guidelines issued to ensure safety from Covid during festival season

New Delhi:07.10.2020

Cautioning people against the expected surge in Covid-19 cases during the upcoming festival season which may lead to public gatherings and complacency among people, the Centre has issued guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread.

While suggesting to allow festive events only outside the containment zones, the government urged people residing in the restricted areas and vulnerable population including pregnant women, elderly and those with co-morbidities to celebrate all festivals inside their homes and not move out.

Gatherings will also have to ensure adequate area for events with a detailed site map and proper markings to maintain social distancing and not allowing touching of idols and holy books, to prevent the spread of infection, according to the standard operating procedures (SoP) issued by the health ministry on Tuesday.

"Festive events shall be permitted only outside the Containment Zones. Organisers, staff and visitors from Containment Zones shall not be permitted. People residing inside Containment Zones may be encouraged to observe all festivals inside their homes and not move out," the ministry added.

It said that the festivals, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions and concerts associated with the festivities are mass events and 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, route planning 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,” the guidelines said suggesting that planning for the event should specifically factor this so that crowds are regulated and managed to ensure physical distance and frequent sanitisation.

Full story on www.toi.com

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