Experts have raised concerns about a sharp increase in coronavirus cases in the holiday season.
New Delhi:
Durga Puja and Ramleela festivities can be held in Delhi, authorities said on Sunday, but organizers will need to follow COVID-19 safety rules and obtain permits from district magistrates. Enclosed spaces will be allowed to hold up to 200 people at a time and open spaces will be regulated individually.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority or DDMA led by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal issued a new set of guidelines for holding congregations and gatherings, lifting the ban on large gatherings and congregations until October 31.
“Each of those permits (which applies to the district magistrate in question) will be jointly granted by the district magistrate and the district DCP in question based on the joint inspection report of the area executive magistrate, the area SHO and the licensing inspector of the municipal corporation in question, who will clearly certify that the festival / celebration site is suitable for the conduct of the event and complies with all the stipulations established in this order and with the standard operating procedure, “said the order. .
District magistrates and deputy police commissioners will appoint an officer of suitable seniority as nodal officer for each Ramleela and Durga Puja site and place, as per the order.
The capacity of each site of the event will be decided based on the area and the rules of social distancing established in the order of the Ministry of the Interior issued on September 30.
In closed space a maximum of 50 percent of the capacity of the room will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 people, he said, adding that in open spaces, keeping the size of the floor or space in view, and with social distancing. rules.
The seating capacity for each of these sites must be determined strictly in accordance with the standards required to ensure social distancing and observance of appropriate COVID-19 behavior and this capacity must be certified by the District Magistrate and the District DCP said the order.
Event organizers will ensure separate entry and exit at each event site, ground or venue, which will be strictly regulated and only people wearing a face mask will be allowed, he added.
Experts have raised concerns about a sharp increase in coronavirus cases in the holiday season and the Union’s own health minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, has asked people not to visit crowded places.
The country crossed the 70 lakh mark in the total number of COVID-19 cases on Sunday and is slightly behind the United States, which suffers the most, recording more than 76 lakh cases. The number of Delhi cases increased to 3.09 lakh and authorities reported 2,780 new cases, while 29 deaths brought the death toll to 5,769.
(With PTI inputs)
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