Bhubaneswar: Odisha will be celebrating the 85th year of its formation as an independent state on Wednesday (April 1). The state government, however, has banned large congregations on Utkal Divas and associated cultural programmes across Odisha in view of the COVID-19 resurgence.
Following a request from a resident welfare association, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has granted permission to hold the event on its premises. The host, however, has been asked to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.
THE GUIDELINES
1. Maximum of 200 will be allowed for the event.
2. In the case of a closed hall, 50 per cent of the hall capacity will be allowed for use subject to the condition that the maximum number of person should not exceed more than 200 while maintaining social distancing. In open space, the maximum number of person allowed is 200.
3. Spitting inside and outside the premises and chewing of paan/ghutka is strictly prohibited.
4. The host has to make adequate provision for handwashing /hand sanitiser for the participants as well as the visitors.
5. All the persons inside the premises will have to wear mask appropriately at all times except while eating.
6. Social distancing of six feet has to be maintained at all times by all the participants and visitors.
7. The host will have to make arrangement for the thermal screening of all the participants and visitors. The person with SARI/ILI like symptoms should not be allowed inside the exhibition. Other vulnerable groups of people such as persons with comorbidities, old age persons, pregnant women or children below 10 years of age may be advised not to attend the event.
8. Persons who have returned from overseas and the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have to abide by the protocols for quarantine/isolation issued by the central and state governments from time to time before attending the event.
