Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday issued fresh guidelines for the conduct of marriages and funerals in different parts of the State in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
As per the latest direction issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office, the State government has given green signal to marriage processions. However, the processions are subject to the ceiling on the number of participants.
As per official sources, the State government in a notification issued last year had allowed marriage related gatherings with a ceiling of 200 participants.
Though marriage processions have been allowed, the ceiling on the number of participants mentioned above including bride, bridegroom, priest, friends, relatives, guests, members of band party, light and sound systems, and strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols including physical distancing shall be strictly enforced.
The Odisha government had imposed restrictions on marriage function through a notification issued on July 6, 2020.
On December 30 last year, the State government allowed marriage related gatherings with a ceiling of 200 persons. Similarly, a ceiling of 100 persons was fixed for funeral and last rites gatherings.
The permissions were granted with certain conditions:
-In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity, subject to the above ceilings.
- In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ open space in view, appropriate number of persons, subject to the above ceilings, so as to ensure maintenance of the prescribed physical distancing norm.
- Mandatory provision of wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and provision of thermal scanning & use of hand wash or sanitizer.
(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)