Religious places set for the new normal from Monday

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Religious places are set to reopen on Monday after more than two months of the nationwide lockdown. But the new guidelines issued by the central government in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic will bring about the new normal for the faithful.

The Union health and family welfare ministry has issued detailed guidelines for reopening religious places to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed thousands of lives in the country.

According to the SOPs, all religious places should ensure the availability of hand hygiene (sanitiser dispenser), and make compulsory arrangement for thermal screening at the entrance.

Only asymptomatic people wearing face cover or masks must be allowed; congregants should wash their hands and feet with soap and water before entering the premises of any religious place, the guidelines have said.

Recommending separate entry and exits for visitors, the guidelines have also said the devotees should maintain physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet at all times when queuing up for entry. The guidelines have mandated that no large gathering be allowed at the religious places.

There should also be no ‘physical’ singing; only recorded music should be played as far as possible.

Audio and video clips should be regularly played to spread awareness on preventive measures for the pandemic.

“Staggering of visitors to be done, if possible. Footwears to be preferably taken off inside own vehicle. If needed, they should be kept in separate slots for each individual/family by the persons themselves. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc, outside and within the premises shall follow the social distancing norm at all times,” the SOPs have said.

“Proper crowd management in parking areas and outside the premises must be ensured,” the guidelines have ordered.

While all religious places will remain closed in containment areas, those outside will be allowed to open under terms outlined by states.

Touching of statues, idols, icons or holy books is not allowed.

“No physical offerings like prasad or distribution or sprinkling of holy water, etc. will be allowed inside the religious place,” the guidelines have mandated, underlining that people running community kitchens, langars, ‘Ann-Daan’ etc at religious places should follow physical distancing norm while preparing and distributing food.

The SOPs have advised the devotees to bring their own mats for prayer and avoid praying on common prayer mats.

The Union ministry has counseled the persons aged above 65 having co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years to stay at home and avoid visiting religious places.

The management of the religious places must ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection of the floors and other surfaces.

“For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which say that the

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temperature setting of all air-conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius; relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70 per cent; intake of fresh air should be as much as possible; and cross ventilation should be adequate,” the  guidelines have directed.

In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises, the ill person should be placed in a room or area and isolated from others and the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) should be informed.

The Centre’s SOP has also said  that risk assessment should  be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action would be initiated regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection. The premises should be disinfected if the person is found positive