Restriction on marriage procession lifted in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government today withdrew restrictions which were earlier imposed on marriage processions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Taking into account the present situation, it has been decided by the Government to allow the marriage processions subject to the ceiling on the number of participants (maximum 200) including bride, bridegroom, priest, friends, relatives, guests, members of band party, light and sound systems, etc. and strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols including physical distancing,” a notification of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said.

The government has already allowed marriage related gatherings with a ceiling of 200 persons and funeral/last rites gatherings with a ceiling of 100 persons subject to following conditions:

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

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

* Mandatory provision of wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and provision of thermal scanning, and use of hand wash or sanitizer.