BMC Issues Fresh Guidelines For Marriage & Funeral Functions In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In view of likely second wave of COVID-19 in the winter season, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a new set of guidelines regarding marriage and funeral functions.

As per the new norms, the total number of persons allowed in marriage related functions will be 100 and that for death rituals will be 50 within BMC limits.

It shall be the joint responsibility of the Host of the function and the management of Kalyan Mandaps/Convention Halls/Marriage Halls to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The permission for the functions to be obtained from the Local Police Station/Local
authority (BMC in this case) mandatorily.
2. Marriage procession of any kind is strictly prohibited.
3. The person with SARI/ILI like symptoms shall not be allowed to the venue/Hall. In funeral related functions such persons need to be avoided to participate as far as practicable.
4. Other vulnerable groups of people such as old age person, pregnant women or children below 10 years of age or person with other Co morbidities are also advised not to attend these functions.
5. The host of the function shall ensure thermal screening of all participants at the entrance of the venue.

6. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be maintained at all times by the participants during the function.
7. The participants shall mandatorily use face mask during the function except during eating.

8. Spitting inside the Hall and chewing Pan/Gutkha etc are strictly prohibited.
9. The host of the function shall ensure adequate provision of hand sanitization/hand washing at the venue.
10. The sitting and dining arrangement shall be done to make at least 6 feet distance between individuals.
11. During the function a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed for usage in a closed space subject to the ceiling limit of the relevant function.
12. In open space, appropriate number of persons is allowed subject to the maintenance of prescribed physical distance and total ceiling of participants.
13. The host and the owner of the hall shall be responsible for ensuring the guidelines above. They will be liable for penal action in case of any violation. The individual participants will also be liable for violation of norms as specified above.
14. The owner of the Kalyan Mandaps/Convention Halls/Marriage Halls etc shall provide the details of the function to be conducted along with the name of the host and permitted number of participants to BMC prior to seven days of the conduct of the function.
15. The above restrictions shall be effective from 25-11-2020 until further order.
16. The Local Police and the BMC enforcement squad will ensure strict erence of the above provisions.