Saturday, 10 October 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
The State Government has issued the standard operating procedures on preventive measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 during festivities.The months from October to December are time for festivities that witness gatherings of large numbers of people in specified locations for religious worship, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions etc. These events may last a day or a week or more. To prevent spread of Covid-19 infection, it is important that necessary preventive measures are followed for such events. Considering this, the government has issued the SOPs outlining various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be taken at locations to prevent spread of Covid. No festive events will be allowed in containment zones. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home. This applies to the event managers and staff as well.
The festivals, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions and plays/ concerts associated with these festivities are mass events. Hence the administration is advised to identify spatial boundaries and prepare a detailed site plan which would facilitate 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. In case of rallies and immersion processions the number of people should not exceed the prescribed limit and 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. Events such as rallies, and processions spread over long distances may 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 of masks. The guidelines issued for theatre and cinema artists will apply to stage performers. All events must plan for medical care arrangements with linkages to nearest hospitals to attend to health emergencies.
Apart from the administrative measures, the generic preventive measures that include simple public health measures are to be followed to reduce the risk of Covid-19. These measures need to be observed by all; the event managers, the organisational staff and the public visiting the festivities. These measures require individuals to maintain a minimum distance of six feet in public places as far as feasible. The use of face covers/masks will be mandatory. People are advised to practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly. Spitting should be strictly prohibited while installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all. All festive events shall also ensure planning of events and shall be allowed only outside the containment zones. Organizers/staff/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. Keeping in view the physical distancing norms, event sites should have adequate floor area and proper markings at all locations which are likely to be visited by public. Appropriate arrangements for personal protection gears like face covers/masks, and other logistic like hand sanitizers, soap, sodium hypochlorite solution for sanitising frequently touched surfaces etc shall be made available by event organisers/business owners for their staff as per requirements. Anyone found symptomatic during thermal screening should be politely refused entry and advised to seek immediate medical care. The number of visitors inside the event venue shall be restricted in accordance with the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time. In religious places, touching of statues/idols / holy books etc. shall not be allowed. Similar guidelines are also to be followed at entertainment parks and similar places.
