Bhubaneswar, November 20: With the improvement in COVID-19 situation in the State, the Odisha Government has allowed conduct of all kind of cultural events, including melodies, orchestra/jatra/opera, subject to a ceiling of 2,000 persons with strict adherence to COVID-19 norms.
As per the order issued by the Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Disaster Management, Pradeep Kumar Jena, the order will be effective from today (November 20).
“With a view to protecting the health of the public and preventing spread of COVID-19 along with normalising the economic activities, stipulations/instructions for graded unlocking, the cultural activities are allowed with effect from 20th November, 2021,” the SRC said in the order.
“Cultural gatherings/ programs including melodies, orchestra/ jatra/ opera, dances-classical, folk and other permitted dance forms, cultural competitions, open air theatres/ drama/ nukkad natak/ street plays/ other such performances etc have been allowed to open with due compliance to COVID-19 protocols,” Jena said.
Keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, maximum 2,000 persons will be allowed ensuring maintenance of prescribed physical distancing norm i.e., maintaining a distance of six feet from each other and the seating arrangement shall be made accordingly.
Auditoriums, assembly halls and similar facilities are allowed to open with due compliance to Covid protocols.
However, permission for such activities will be accorded by the respective District Magistrates, SPs, Municipal Commissioners, Police Commissioner (Bhubaneswar-Cuttack) or other officers authorised by them subject to compliance of COVID-19 safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of face masks, physical distancing, provision of thermal scanning, etc.
All cultural functions also can be held but a person needs double dose vaccination certificate or RT-PCR or RAT test done (with -ve report) before 72-hours to attend the functions, he added.
As far as possible, the organizers will have to make facilities for online booking of tickets or open a sufficient number of counters to prevent crowding during physical booking of tickets, the SRC said.
Facility of advance booking online as well as through counters may also be organized. For indoor halls, the numbers of viewers/ spectators shall not exceed 50 per cent of the seating capacity of the hall.
As per the order, cinema halls, theatres have been allowed to open with up to 50 per cent of capacity and operate with due compliance to Covid protocols. In closed places, the number of persons including the invitees shall not exceed 50 per cent of the hall capacity.
The organiser of the function will ensure adherence of COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing of at least six feet between participants and provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.
Persons with symptoms of Influenza Like Infection (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) will not be allowed to the function.
Vulnerable groups of people, such as persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities and pregnant women are advised not to attend the function. Chewing of gutka and pawns and spitting in the function is strictly prohibited at such places.
Cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs/handles, hand rails, slides, chairs, tabletops, benches, washroom fixtures, floors/ walls shall be ensured by the organizers.
The organisers will have to ensure deep cleaning of all drinking/hand washing points/ wash rooms, lavatories.
The organiser of the function will also ensure elaborate arrangement for hand washing with soap and water and also ensure availability of hand sanitisers.
“Any person violating the measures notified in the above order will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions Disaster Management Act, 2005, and COVID-19 Regulations 2020, besides legal action under Sec. 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable,” warned SRC Jena.
