Odisha issues Covid guidelines for March; here’re what is allowed, what is not

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today allowed social congregations including marriage with maximum 500 persons and Jatras, Operas and Open Air Theatres with a ceiling of 2,000 persons. However, permission of the local authorities will be mandatory for organizers to hold marriage, large gatherings, social, and religious functions and Jatra shows.

Also, the District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners were directed to demarcate the containment zones in accordance with the guidelines of MoHFW, Government of India and H&FW Department of the Government of Odisha.

The Special Relief Commissioner Office issued the detailed guidelines for the month of March today mentioning what is allowed and what is not.

Here’re the details of Covid guidelines:

The Containment Zones will be notified by the respective District Collectors/ Municipal Commissioners and information will be shared with MOHFW. The notification shall be uploaded by the District Collector and by the State on their websites.

Containment measures, as prescribed by MOHFW, Government of India/H&FW Department, Government of Odisha, shall be scrupulously followed in the containment zones. Awareness shall be created in communities on COVID-19 appropriate behavior.

Regulation of activities in areas outside the Containment Zones i. Large gatherings, congregations shall continue to be prohibited. Social/religious/ political/sports/entertainment/ academic/ cultural functions and gatherings shall be allowed with a ceiling of 500 persons subject to the following conditions:

a. In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed subject to the above ceiling.

b. In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ open space in view, appropriate number of persons will be allowed, within the ceiling prescribed above, so as to ensure maintenance of prescribed physical distancing norms.

c. Wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and provision of thermal scanning & use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.

Permission for such functions/ gatherings shall be accorded by the respective District Magistrates/ Municipal Commissioners or other officers authorised by them.

Marriage, funeral/ last rites related gatherings shall be allowed with a ceiling of 500 persons, subject to the following conditions:

a. In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed subject to the above ceilings

b. In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ open space in view, appropriate number of persons will be allowed, subject to the above ceilings, so as to ensure maintenance of prescribed physical distancing norm.

c. Wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and provision of thermal scanning & use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory

d. The host of the marriage/ funeral function shall make necessary arrangement for checking at the entry point and ensure wearing of mask by the guests/ others during the entire duration of their participation Host shall make arrangement to provide masks to those who have not come with appropriate mask.

Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumers (B2C) exhibitions shall be allowed in exhibition halls with participants/ visitors up to 50% of the hall capacity complying with the COVID-19 safety protocols.

In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ open space in view, appropriate number of persons will be allowed at any point of time so as to ensure maintenance of prescribed physical distancing norm. Permission for such exhibitions shall be accorded by the respective District Magistrates/ Municipal Commissioners or other officers authorised by them.

All Medical Colleges of the State have been allowed to reopen with effect from 1st December, 2020. Medical College Authorities shall follow all the SOPs and guidelines with respect to social distancing and prevention of spread of epidemic issued by Central State Government, scrupulously.

The Department of School & Mass Education/ ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are authorised to take appropriate decision with regard to the date of re-opening of schools and hostels under its control superintendence supervision in respect of classes from 9 to 12 Standard in a graded manner observing necessary guidelines/ SOP developed for the purpose. The Department shall further develop detailed SOP for the primary schools and decide on opening of such schools with approval of Government.

Considering the present situation, the School & Mass Education Department may allow conduct of intra-school class promotion examination for 9th and 11st Standards giving the option of online examination to the students with consent of their parents/guardians. The Department of Higher Education is authorized to take appropriate decision with regard to the date of re-opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions and Hostels under its control superintendence/ supervision by following the guidelines/ SOP issued by the Department UGC/ AICTE/Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The Department of Skill Development and Technical Education is authorized to take appropriate decision with regard to the date of re-opening of Engineering Colleges and other Technical Education/ Skill Development Institutions and Hostels under its control superintendence/ supervision in a graded manner in compliance with the Guidelines/ SOP issued by the Department UGC/AICTE/ Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Notwithstanding closure of Academic/ Technical Skill Development Institutions, the followings will be permitted:

a. Conduct of examinations including academic, competitive and entrance tests), evaluation and other administrative activities

b. Online distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged

The concerned department may permit teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the School College and Institution for online teaching/tele-counseling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones only as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Education/Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW), Gol.

Anganwadi Centres have been allowed to function with effect from 1st February, 2021.

The District Magistrate Municipal Commissioner are authorised to permit public worship in religious places/places of Worship with appropriate restrictions, based on local assessment of the situation with regard to spread of COVID-19 and in due consultation with relevant stakeholders, with observance of COVID-19 safety protocol.

Cinema Halls/Theatres/Entertainment Paris shall be allowed to open and operate as per SOP issued to be issued by the Government of India State Government in that regard.

Open Air Theatres Jatras/Operas shall be permitted by the local authorities (District Magistrate/ Municipal Commissioner or any other officer authorized) subject to compliance of COVID-19 safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of face masks, physical distancing, provision of thermal scanning, etc.

Keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, appropriate number of persons (subject to a ceiling of 2000 persons) will be allowed ensuring maintenance of prescribed physical distancing norm.
Opening and use of Swimming Pools shall be as per the SOP issued to be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Gol.

International air travel of passengers shall be as decided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation/ Ministry of Home Affairs, Gol Subject to other provisions of this order, activities that are not specifically prohibited/ regulated/ restricted above are allowed subject to adherence to safety and health protocols and SOPs/ guidelines issued by appropriate authorities.

Salons, Spas, Beauty Parlours and Barber shops shall ensure all safety precautions, disinfection and sanitization before and after service of each customer. The onus of compliance to the guideline lies with the owner, who shall be liable for any violation, which may lead to penal action including closure/ sealing of the premises.

There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons, private vehicles and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.