Odisha Govt Allows Marriage Processions With COVID-19 Norms

Bhubaneswar: With the improvement in COVID-19 situation, the Odisha Government on Tuesday allowed conduct of marriage processions by modifying its earlier guidelines.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government had banned the marriage processions. However, as per the revised guidelines issued on December 30 last year, the government has allowed marriage related gatherings with a ceiling of 200 persons and funeral/last rites gatherings with a ceiling of 100 persons subject to the 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 the 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 sanitizes.

“However, taking into account the present situation, the government has decided to allow the marriage processions subject to the ceiling on the number of participants mentioned above 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,” the SRC pointed out.

The SRC letter was marked to all district collectors, superintendents of police (SPs), municipal commissioners and the Twin City Commissionerate Police.