BMC Releases SOP For Reopening Of Religious Institutions In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday released standard operating procedure (SOP) for phased reopening of the religious institutions under its jurisdiction subject.

According to a BMC release, after the state government authorised the
Municipal Commissioners to grant permission for opening of public worship in religious places/places of worship with appropriate restrictions, it held a consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders of all religious institutions on December 15.

After detailed deliberation, it was decided for phased reopening of the religious institutions under the jurisdiction of BMC subject to adherence of the following guidelines:

1. Except Lord Sri Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar all other religious institutions will be reopen from January 3 with strict observance of COVID-19 safety protocols.

2. The committee of all religious institutions shall ensure strict observance of the following protocols:
a. Wearing of mask by the devotees/visitors.
b. Social distancing of six feet by devotees/visitors.
c. Hand washing/hand sanitizer facility to be provided by the religious institution
authorities.

3. The committee of the religious institution to submit an undertaking to BMC regarding date of opening of their religious places and maximum number of devotees to be present at one point of time. Suvendu Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner of BMC will be the key contact and nodal officer in this regard.

4. Based on the undertaking submitted by the religious institution, BMC will issue an Order regarding the maximum ceiling of devotees to be congregated at one point of time.

5. The church under jurisdiction of BMC will be allowed to open on December 25 considering Christmas celebration. However, the church authorities shall have to submit the undertaking regarding the accommodation of maximum number of devotees at one point of time.

6. Spitting inside & outside the premises and chewing of pan and ghutkha is strictly prohibited.

7. The person with SARI/ILI like symptoms shall not be allowed to enter the religious institution. Other vulnerable group of people such as person with co-morbidities, old age persons, pregnant women or children below 10 years of age advised not to visit the religious institutions.

8. Participants who have returned from overseas shall have to abide by the protocols for quarantine/isolation issued by the Central and state governments before visiting the religious institution.

9. Any deviation will entail individual action as per provision and also revision of institution reopening permission.