Authorities said Sunday fairs, food stands, attractions, rallies, displays and processions will not be allowed during festivals in Delhi until October 31, as they issued detailed guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed in middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) state executive committee Vijay Dev said that all event organizers will have to obtain the necessary permission from concerned district magistrates to organize the events, in addition to obtaining permission from other authorities.
“In the event of any violation of the SOPs and guidelines, the permission granted to carry out said program or event will be withdrawn immediately for the following days,” he said. “Each such permit (which applies to the district magistrate) will be jointly issued by the district magistrate and the district DCP based on the joint inspection report of the area executive magistrate, the area SHO, and the district inspector. licenses from the Municipal Corporation, which will clearly certify that the festival “The venue is suitable for the holding of the event and complies with all the stipulations established in this order and with the standard operating procedure,” Dev said in his order.
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The restriction on gatherings and large congregations imposed by the DDMA on September 30 will now be lifted to the point of allowing gatherings and congregations for the celebration of upcoming festivals only until October 31, the order said.
Under the order, concerned District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) will appoint an officer of suitable seniority as Nodal Officer for each Ramleela site and headquarters, Durga Puja pandal, etc. These nodal officers will be responsible for ensuring strict adherence to the health ministry’s order and SOPs, as well as other guidelines, issued by the Center, the Delhi government, and the DDMA.
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He said the capacity of each event site will be decided on the basis of the area and social distancing standards set out in the Union Interior Ministry (MHA) order issued on September 30. A maximum of 50% of the room’s capacity will be allowed in closed spaces, with a ceiling of 200 people, he said. In open spaces, it will be done keeping in mind the size of the land or space and with strict compliance with the rules of social distancing.
Seating capacity for each site must be determined strictly in accordance with the standards required to ensure social distancing and observance of appropriate Covid-19 behavior and this capacity will be certified by the district magistrate and the district DCP, the order said. . He added that the organizers of the event will guarantee a separate entrance and exit in each site, terrain or place of the event, which will be strictly regulated and only people with a face mask will be allowed.
The database of all permitted event sites in the district should be maintained by the district magistrate and the Delhi government divisional commissioner will maintain a consolidated database of all such event sites, the order said.
Each organizer or organizing committee will be responsible for making the videography of the event or program from beginning to end on a daily basis. An electronic copy of the raw video recording on pen-drive and a certificate, certifying that there was no violation of the SOPs, will be presented to the node officials of the respective event sites, within three hours after the closing of the event. event or program every day, it said.
District magistrates will also arrange for sample videography of permitted event sites to ensure compliance with social distancing and other relevant regulations. A certificate, jointly signed by the district magistrate and the district DCP, on the status of compliance with the SOPs, guidelines from all district event organizers, will be presented to the chief secretary each day.
At event sites, related to the festivities, no person will be allowed to stand or squat. Sitting in chairs will only be allowed with social distancing rules, he said. Adequate arrangements will be made for an adequate number of temporary restrooms and other public facilities such as electricity, water, disinfectants, and thermal filters at each location on the site.
If any violation of the DDMA order is detected, the event organizers and those responsible will be punished according to the provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and the notification from the Delhi government health department dated June 13, in addition to the initiation of legal actions under section 188 of the IPC. and other provisions of the relevant law, the order added.
The chief secretary has directed all authorities, field officials to ensure strict compliance with the SOP of the health ministry, as well as additional measures, suggested based on the local assessment for the effective management of COVID-19 in Delhi, Until August 31.
(With contributions from the agency)
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