Limited Entry, Mandatory To Wear Face Mask: Govt Calls For Strict Measures As Festive Season Approaches; Check SOPs

The Union Health Ministry in its issued SOP has stated that no festive program will be allowed in the Containment Zone.

Health Ministry Issues SOPs For Approaching Festival Season (PTI)

The months of October to December are time for festivities that witness gatherings of large number of people in specified locations for religious worship, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions etc. In view of the approaching festivals the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued  various generic precautionary measures to be adopted to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. The Union Health Ministry in its issued SOP has stated that no festive program will be allowed in the Containment Zone. The ministry has recommended that persons over 65 years of age, pregnant women and children under 10 years of age are advised to stay at home. This also applies to event managers and employees. Check here the detailed protocol and preventive measures to be adopted for the approaching festival season: Administrative Requirements:

1. Identify spatial boundaries and prepare a detailed site plan which would facilitate compliance with thermal screening, physical distancing, sanitisation etc.
2. During this time, crowd management and social distancing norms must be followed. There should be a facility for sanitation.
3. In case of rallies and immersion processions, the number of people should not exceed the prescribed limit and proper physical distancing norms should be followed.
4. Events such as rallies, and processions spread over long distances may require support of ambulance services.
5. There should be adequate measures to ensure a cap on physical numbers in events lasting several days or weeks, such as exhibitions, fairs, puja pandals, Ramlila pandals or concerts and plays.
6. Volunteers must be properly positioned for thermal scanning and ensuring physical distancing and and wearing of masks by the participants
7. Guidelines issued for theater and cinema artists will apply to stage performers
8. Ensure adequate supply of sanitizers, thermal guns and social distance markings on the floor
9. Isolation in each incident site for isolation of suspected cases
10. Put CCTV cameras to follow physical distancing norms and monitor it at each location.
11. In case of rallies and processions, all four things like route planning, identification of immersion sites, ensuring crowd management, physical distance should be planned in advance.
12. In all events, there should be a plan to arrange for medical care with linkage to the nearest hospitals for health emergency status.

Generic preventive measures: The generic preventive measures that include simple public health measures are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

1. Maintain a proper distance of 6 feet.
2. It is mandatory to always use mask covering the mouth.
3. Wash hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitiser.
4. Spitting is strictly prohibited.
5. Use the Arogya Setu App
6. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to State and District Helpline.
7. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.

SOP to be followed in case of a suspect case

1. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others
2. If symptoms deteriorate, inform the nearest medical facility
3. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.
4. A risk assessment shall be undertaken by the designated public health authority. Accordingly further action be initiated