SOP awaited from state for social, cultural events

Panaji: Even as the Centre has issued guidelines regarding the restart of social events and open-air theatres as part of Unlock 4.0, Goa, grappling with rising Covid cases, may take a while to see major events. The directorate of art and culture has no plans as of now, and is waiting for the state government to issue SOPs in this regard.
“The Goa government has not come out with its SOPs yet,” an official said. “Until it does, nothing is going to be held from our end.”
The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) issued a new set of guidelines for Unlock 4.0, allowing significant relaxations across the country. One of these states that open-air theatres would be allowed to reopen from September 21.
Also, social/academic/sports/entertainment/cultural/religious/political functions and other congregations will be permitted with 100 people only. However, strict measures like mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing and thermal scanning provisions must be observed.
However, the directorate’s social calendar for the months of September and October has no events listed so far. “Due to the pandemic, we cannot have any programmes nor invite audiences for workshops. As a result, our activities are zero,” the official said.