Bhubaneswar: All religious institutions in the Odisha capital will be allowed to reopen from February 12 with strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation informed on Tuesday.
“In view of the decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases and overall improvement in the scenario, it has been decided to open religious institutions of all types from February 12,” the civic body said.
According to the notification, only those devotees who are fully vaccinated (if eligible for vaccination) will be allowed inside the temple premises. “For the purpose of ascertaining the fact of full vaccination, either the hard copy of the certificate or soft copy available in mobile/tablet may be relied upon,” it said.
The devotees are also required to bring along their photo ID card – AadharNoter ID – or any other photo ID card for identification.
However, no devotee will be allowed inside the Garva Griha of the temple and can have darshan from a safe distance only. They have also been barred from making any offerings at the temples.
Children below the age of 15 years will be allowed inside the temple/religious institutions with proper proof of identification – Aadhar card – and only under the supervision of their parents or adult relatives.
At Lingaraj temple, a maximum of 100 devotees at a time will be allowed from Singhadwar to Ada- Katha. However, Sahan darshan/Garvagruha darshan must be completely prohibited, the notification said.
Similarly, mosques/churches/gurudwaras will also be allowed to open for fully vaccinated devotees. Only that many devotees are allowed inside the premises of the religious institution in order to ensure social distancing of 6 feet between them.
The authority/management have been asked to ensure that only fully vaccinated priests and sevayats are allowed to perform rituals. “The priests/sevayats must put on Mask at all times. All devotees must also wear mask and maintain appropriate social distancing of six feet from each other at all times,” it added.
The authorities must make adequate provision for handwashing at entry and exit points. Chewing of paan/ghutka and spitting are strictly prohibited inside and outside the premises.
Persons with SARI / ILI like symptoms will not be allowed inside. People with co-morbidities, the elderly and pregnant women have been advised against visiting religious institutions.
These guidelines will remain in force till February 28.
Notably, the places of worship in Bhubaneswar were closed last month amid a steep spike in COVID cases.
