The festive season is round the corner and people are in a state of perplexion whether to celebrate it with enthusiasm and zest like before or not amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. With a few days left in the celebration, the Delhi govt has allowed the people to celebrate this pious time of the year by adhering to Covid-19 protocols.
Navratri is from October 17 to 25 (Dusshera), Durga puja this year will be from October 22 to 26. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Sunday has issued fresh guidelines for holding gatherings, with strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
These guidelines are significant, given the staging of Ramleelas, that witness mass gatherings, starts around the same time.
However, various Ramleela and Durga Puja committees have said the government order has come a little too late and many have already canceled this year's event and others are planning to reduce the scale of their programs.
All organizers will now have to obtain permission from District Magistrates for organizing events apart from other required permissions, said Delhi Chief Secretary and DDMA's Executive Committee Chairman Vijay Dev.
The DDMA has withdrawn its earlier order banning gatherings, but only till October 31 in view of the festivities.
"Each such permission (which is applied for to District Magistrate concerned) shall be jointly granted by District Magistrate and District DCP concerned on the basis of the joint inspection report of area Executive Magistrate, area SHO and Licensing Inspector of Municipal Corporation concerned which shall clearly certify that the festival/celebration site is suitable for the conduct of the event and meets all the stipulations laid down in this order and the standard operating procedure," the order said.
Nodal officers will also be appointed for each venue of Ramleela, or, for that matter, a Durga Puja pandal, stated the order.
The order also stipulates separate entry and exit at every event site, crowd regulation in terms of allowing only people with face mask, among other measures.
In closed venues, up to 50 percent of the hall capacity is allowed, which should not cross 200, while in open areas, the size of the ground and the Union Home Ministry's SOP will determine the numbers of individuals.
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Here are the SOPs:
* No fairs/melas will be there this time.
* Prohibition on holding rallies, processions or exhibitions or setting up food stalls inside and outside the venue
* Capacity of each site will be decided on the basis of the area and social distancing norms (a) In closed space, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons, and (b) In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground /space in the view, and with the strict observance of social distancing norms.
* Separate entry and exit points for functions/pandals
* Entry without face mask is prohibited. This rule implies to staff as well
* Only sitting on chairs will be allowed to keep social distancing in mind. At all events related to festivities, no person will be allowed in standing or squatting position
* Organisers will have to do videography of their event each day and submit to the district magistrate at the end of the day to ensure full compliance to Covid-19 norms.
* Events are permitted only outside containment zones
* All events must plan for medical care arrangements with linkages to nearest hospitals in case of health emergencies