Health Ministry issues guidelines to prevent spread of COVID-19 during festive season

Ministry of Health on Tuesday issued Standard Operating Procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 during upcoming festivals. In wake of various festivals such as Chhath Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, Durga Puja, Navratri, Christmas, etc. falling in months of October to December, Ministry stressed that festivity will be permitted in containment zones. Moreover, persons above 65 years of , persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below of 10 years have been advised to stay at home.

In Unlock 5 guidelines, Ministry of Home Affairs removed ceiling on number of people allowed to participate in garings in open s. However, functions in open s can be attended by a maximum of 200 persons. Currently, re are 66,85,082 confirmed vel coronavirus cases in India out of which 56,62,490 patients have been recovered while 1,03,569 deaths have been reported. 

Read: COVID-19: Union Min Javadekar Anunces SOPs For Reopening Of Cinema Halls Under Unlock 5

Here are  guidelines:

• Planning for festive events should factor in regulation of crowd, staggered timings, social distancing and frequent sanitization
• Ambulances should be arranged for processions of long distances
• in each event venue to be identified for isolation of suspected COVID-19 case
• CCTVs can be installed to monitor adherence to COVID-19 prevention rms
• People residing in containment zones will be encourd to observe festivities inside ir homes
• An adequate number of ticket counters will be planned
• Contactless payment shall be encourd
• Multiple entry and exit points for visitors to an event
• Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed inside venue
• Maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet and wearing of face cover/masks is mandatory
• For entry into religious places, footwear to be preferably kept inside own vehicle
• Provision of disposable cups/glasses for drinking water
• In religious places, touching of statues, idols, holy books shall t be allowed
• Instead of a choir, recorded devotional music should be played
• Community kitchens should follow physical distancing rms
• Used face covers/masks should be disposed of in covered bins
• In case a positive patient is detected, disinfection of premises will be taken up

Read: Unlock 5.0: Centre Releases COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines For Industrial Workers

Read: Maharashtra Unveils Guidelines For Upcoming Festivals; Garba & Dandiya Events t Allowed