All Religious Institutions In Khordha To Open From January 3

Khordha: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all the religious institutions in the Khordha district except the Lingaraj Temple and the temples coming within the territorial jurisdiction of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been allowed to open from January 3, 2012.

As per the order of the district collector, the temples will be opened subjected to some stipulations and adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.

1. A meeting will be held under the chairmanship of local Tahasildars-cum-Incident Commanders with the IIC of the concerned Police Station, local PRI members and other stakeholders such as members of temple/ religious institutions committee/ managing body (If any) in advance regarding entry of public to important religious institutions/places of worship with strict adherence of COVID-19 safety guidelines/SOP.

2. The Local Revenue Inspector will coordinate with the village head as well as Priest/Pujari/ local body of the same village Temple for ensuring smooth darshan/ Puja in the concerned religious institutions /places of worship duly maintaining SOP of COVID-19

3. A public notice shall be displayed outside the religious institutions/ place of worship and at conspicuous places of the locality in advance for creating awareness among the people regarding COVID-19 safety protocol, such as:

a. Checking of body temperature of devotes before entering into the religious places for puja/ darshan through infrared thermometer.
b. Compulsory wearing of face mask.
c. Maintaining social/physical distancing of 6 feet between two persons. d. Regular hand sanitization.

4. The Committee/ Managing Body of Religious Institutions/Village Heads will take appropriate steps to ensure adherence of COVID-19 safety protocols including maintenance of physical distance of minimum 6 feet between any two persons and conducting darshan in queue.

5. Spitting at religious institutions/places of worship will be punishable with fine, as prescribed in accordance with laws, rules or regulations.

6. The Tahasildars-cum-Incident Commanders, IIC of the local Police station and other stakeholders of the Religious Institutions will take appropriate decision whether religious institutions will remain open on major occasions/festivals depending on the local situation. However, the normal worship/rituals will continue as usual.

7. The following categories of persons are advised to avoid crowded places keeping in view their own safety:

a. Persons above 65 years of age.
b. Persons with co-morbidities.
c. Pregnant women.
d. Children below the age of 10 years.

8. If anyone violating the COVID-19 safety protocols during the visit/ darshan/worship inside/outside the religious institution/ place worship will be punished as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Regulations issued there under besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.

9. The Tahasildars-cum-Incident Commanders & 11C of the local Police station shall constitute a proper enforcement squad & make random visit to the religious institutions/ places of worship in their respective jurisdiction to ensure that COVID-19 protocol is followed.

10. Separate SOP will be issued for entry of devotees in Lingaraj Temple after discussion with the Lingaraj Temple Administration.

This order supersedes all previous orders in the matters and will be in force until further orders, reads the order of the Khordha district collector.