Hosts on hot seat as govt drafts rules for marriage, funeral ceremonies

Bhubaneswar: Hosting a marriage ceremony has just got more difficult with the families now responsible for making guests follow Covid-19 norms. From making arrangements of soap and water for hand washing to ensuring availability of sanitisers, the organisers would have to keep these things ready and more. It’s the same for those hosting a memorial service following a funeral.
Chewing of paan and gutka and spitting in public is strictly prohibited, which will have to be ensured by the hosts, as per the latest guidelines issued by the state government for marriage and funeral-related events during Covid-19 crisis.
State special relief commissioner P K Jena issued the guidelines and asked the district collectors for strict implementation.
As per the guidelines, persons with influenza-like symptoms and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) will not be allowed to the marriage venue. Vulnerable groups like those above 65 years of age, children below 10 years, persons with co-morbidities and pregnant women are advised not to attend such functions.
While 50 people including the groom, bride, their family members, friends, relatives, guests, priests, catering staff are allowed in wedding venues, the number of people participating in a funeral ceremony should not exceed 20.
Both marriage and funeral functions can be held with prior permission of the local police stations. It has been made mandatory to maintain at least two-metre physical distance between individuals during these social events.
“The seating and dining arrangement for both the rituals shall be done in such a way that at least two-metre physical distance is maintained between individuals while all persons in the marriage venue shall mandatorily use face mask during the entire period of the function except during eating,” Jena said.
The guidelines said vehicles used in the funeral procession will not carry persons beyond its seating capacity.
“It will be the responsibility of the host of the marriage and funeral function to ensure that the provisions of the guidelines are strictly followed, including the ceiling on number of attendees. The owner/manager of the premises of the marriage and funeral function will also be held responsible for ensuring the guidelines on the premises and liable for legal action in case of any violation,” he added.
In case of marriage ceremony, participants will also be held responsible for violating the rules and could face legal action.
EoM