Bhubaneswar: The State Government on Monday issued Covid-19 guidelines for the month of March, 2022 putting restrictions on celebration of Holi at public places and roads.
“Holi’ and their related rituals shall not be observed in public places throughout the State. People may celebrate ‘Holi’ with family members in their houses only and not in any public places including public roads,” ACS Disaster management and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena said in an order.
Collectors and Municipal Commissioners may impose any further restrictions as desirable in consideration of local situations, he said.
While Mahashivaratri will be observed as per the recent order issued by the SRC, people shall ensure Covid Appropriate Behavior such as physical distancing, use of face mask/ covering and hand washing/ hand sanitizer during the celebration of “Dola Purnima”. Religious rituals are allowed with strict adherence of Covid-19 protocols, Jena said.
The Collectors and Municipal Commissioners may impose appropriate restrictions if required in Dola Melans. Also they shall determine the number of participants in these gatherings with strict adherence of Covid appropriate behaviour and norms.
Further mela/ congregations outside/ within the temple premises may also be reasonably restricted so as to avoid mass gatherings/ crowding, the SRC said.
There will be no night curfew across the State. During the month, all activities are allowed to fully function with strict adherence to COVID -19 protocols. AII Social/ Religious/ Political/ Sports gatherings are allowed with strict adherence to COVID -19 protocols.
Similarly, exhibitions, trade fairs, expo and Melas are allowed with full compliance to COVID protocols.
As Urban Poll will be held this month, the SRC has allowed political gatherings, meetings, rallies, door to door campaigns as per the instructions/ guidelines issued by appropriate Election Commission from time to time with full compliance to COVID protocols.
Marriages, thread Ceremony/ Bratopaliayan, and related gatherings are allowed with approval from local authorities with a ceiling of 500 persons(for the entire event) including hosts, guests, priests and catering and other support staff with adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Marriage processions are also allowed with due prior written approval from competent authorities subject to the ceiling 100 participants including bridegroom, priest, friends, relatives, guests, members of band party, light & sound systems etc. The number of persons in the marriage procession will count towards the above said ceiling of 500 persons.
Funerals, last rites and related gatherings with approval from local authorities shall be allowed with a ceiling of 250 persons.
