Odisha Govt Brings Down Gathering Limit At Marriages & Funerals From This Date

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday brought down the number of people attending the marriage functions and funerals from March 26.

In an official order, the Special Relief Commissioner has issued fresh guidelines stating that the state is passing through a critical situation due to detection of new
variant of SARS-CoV 2 and it is necessary to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols for containment of spread of the infection.

Stating that COVID appropriate behaviour and protocols during functions relating to marriage and funeral are not being observed scrupulously by the participants and there is apprehension of transmission of the infection in such gatherings, the order said the marriage and related gatherings shall be allowed with a ceiling of 200 persons instead of 500 persons and funeral/last rites related gatherings shall be allowed with 50 persons instead of 500 persons.

In closed spaces, the attendance shall be maximum 50% of the hall capacity subject to the above ceilings. In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/open space, appropriate number of persons can gather subject to the above ceilings.

Provision of wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer has been mandatory at the functions.

The host of the marriage /funeral function shall make necessary arrangement for
checking at the entry point and ensure wearing of masks by the guests/ others
during the entire duration of their participation. Host shall make arrangement to
provide masks to those who have not come with appropriate mask.

Stating that the new order will come into effect from March 26, the SRC directed the district collectors and SPs, municipal commissioners and Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack to ensure the implementation of this guideline. Any person found violating the order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act,2005 and other relevant laws.