Photo for representation purpose only.
New Delhi, June 4
The government today issued guidelines to unlock places of worship for the public from June 8, but barred distribution of prasad, sprinkling of holy water and touching of idols inside shrines.
As per the new standard operating procedure (SOP), people visiting shrines must leave their footwear in cars and managements of shrines must ensure thermal screening of every visitor and allow only asymptomatic ones to go in.
SOPs: No prasad
- Shrines Prasad distribution, sprinkling of holy water and touching of idols not allowed; footwear to be left in cars; devotees to bring their own mats for prayers
- Restaurants Only 50% seating at a time; owners to encourage takeaways rather than dining in; delivery persons must leave food packets at the doorstep rather than handing these directly
- Shopping malls Gaming arcades, children’s play areas and cinemas to remain closed
- Offices Regular disinfection to be compulsory, besides maintaining six feet physical distance between employees and visitors
- Common directives Six feet physical distance between people at all times; masks, hand and respiratory hygiene; staggered visiting; use of sanitiser; and thermal screening at entrances to let only asymptomatic people in
A physical distance of six feet will have to be maintained while preparing and serving langar. The government also issued a range of SOPs to help states open shopping malls, restaurants and hotels from June 8, except in containment zones.
All SOPs mandate six feet physical distance between people at all times; face covers and masks; hand and respiratory hygiene; staggered visiting; sanitisers and thermal screening at entrances to let only asymptomatic people enter; and prohibition on large gatherings.
Devotees will have to bring their own mats for prayer at shrines. Restaurants can have only 50 per cent occupancy of the total seating capacity at any given time with mandatory six feet physical distance.
SOPs say the restaurant owners should encourage takeaways rather than dining in and delivery persons must leave food packets on the doorstep rather than handing these directly. Cinema halls will remain closed in malls. The SOPs require 65-plus people, pregnant women and kids below 10 years to remain home. —TNS
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