Bhubaneswar: With a view to protect the health of the public and prevent spread of COVID-19 during the ensuing winter season, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put more restrictions to conduct marriage, thread ceremony and funerals.
Maximum 50 persons will be allowed in such functions within the BMC limit. It is the joint responsibility of the host of the function and the management of Kalyan Mandaps, Convention Halls and Marriage Halls to adhere to the guidelines.
In its fresh guidelines, the Corporation said the organizer will have to seek its permission for holding such functions. If any person is having Covid like symptoms, he/she will not be allowed to the venue. In funeral related functions such persons need to be avoided to participate as far as practicable.
Other vulnerable groups of people such as old age people, pregnant women or children below 10 years of age or person with other Comorbidities are also advised not to attend these functions.
The host of the function will have to ensure thermal screening of all participants at the entrance of the venue and physical distancing of at least 6 ft at all times by the participants during the function.
As per the guidelines, all participants will have to mandatorily use a face mask during the function except during eating. Spitting inside the hall and chewing Pan/Gutkha etc are strictly prohibited.
The host of the function will have to ensure adequate provision of hand sanitization/hand washing at the venue while the sitting and dining arrangement shall be done to make at least 6 ft distance between individuals.
During the function, a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity will be allowed for usage in a closed space subject to the ceiling limit of the relevant function. In open space, an appropriate number of persons is allowed subject to the maintenance of prescribed physical distance and total ceiling of participants, it said.
The BMC said both the host and the owner of the venue will be responsible for ensuring the guidelines and they will be liable for penal action in case of any violation. The individual participants will also be liable for violation of norms.
The local police and the BMC enforcement squad have been asked to ensure strict adherence of the above provisions.