Covid guidelines: Jatra, Open Air Theatre shows with max 2,000 persons allowed in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Bringing cheers to artistes and audiences of Jatras, Operas and Open Air Theatre in Odisha, the State government today gave its permission to organisers to hold shows, provided with an approval from the local authorities.

While issuing the Covid guidelines for the month of March, the Special Relief Commissioner Office stated maximum 2,000 persons can be allowed to attend Jatra, Opera and Open Air theatre shows subjected to compliance of Covid-19 safety protocols.

The persons who will attend the shows will maintain six feet distance and the seating arrangement should be made accordingly, the guideline stated.

Other key points of the guideline pertaining to the shows are as follows:

• Organizers must ensure mandatory thermal scanning of audiences, face mask wearing and physical distancing.

• The organisers can provide online ticket booking facility for Jatra, Opera and Open Air Theatre shows. They should open sufficient number of counters to prevent crowding during physical booking of tickets.

• Persons with Influenza like Infection (ILI), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and Covid-19 like symptoms will not be allowed at the Jatra venue.

• The organisers shall be responsible for due compliance of the Covid guidelines issued by the State government for the month of March.

Worth mentioning, Jatra artistes and persons associated the Jatra have been staging a fast-unto-death protest at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar demanding permission for the shows with 2,000 spectators.

The Jatra, Opera and Open Air Theatre shows were disallowed since last year following the pandemic. The State government, however, in its guidelines for the month of February allowed the shows with a capacity of 500 persons.