BMC issues fresh guidelines amid surge in Covid-19 cases

Bhubaneswar: In order to prevent any probable spread of Covid, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today issued fresh guidelines for street vendors, shopping malls, spa and saloons, auditoriums and cinema halls, including all other business establishments.

In its notification No-33000/BMC, Dtd-11.07.2022, the civic body said, “In view of the rise in number of newly detected cases of Covid-19 in BMC area, the following stipulations are mentioned below for strict adherence of all concerned.”

Street vendors like the tiffin shops, tea shops and juice stalls shall have to ensure limited crowding of customers in their shops. Better, they should adopt takeaway methods, the notification read.

Business establishments including shopping malls must ensure limited crowding of customers in their respective premises. Adherence to Covid appropriate behaviours like social distancing, use of mask, hand sanitisation and other safety protocols is mandatory.

The shopping mall owners shall have to designate an officer of their establishment as Covid Compliant Officer to supervise the activities.

Closed venues like auditoriums and cinema halls must also ensure Covid safety protocols.

Notably, any deviation in this regard will be taken as violation of provisions of Odisha Covid Regulations, 2020 and Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. Violation of the stipulations will invite appropriate action, the BMC notification mentioned.