Bhubaneswar: August 10: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has decided to allow opening of religious Institutions in Bhubaneswar with observance of Covid Protocols from 23rd August’2021.
A consultative meeting with the relevant stake holders of all religious groups was held virtually on 7th August & after detail deliberation , it was decided that religious institutions of all types will be allowed to open from 23rd August subject to adherence of guidelines framed by BMC.
Guidelines:
All the temples of Bhubaneswar within the jurisdiction of BMC shall reopen with strict adherence of Covid-19 safety protocols.
However no devotee shall be allowed inside the Garva Griha of the temple area and will be allowed darshan from a safe distance only. There shall be no offerings like Bhoga etc. in the temple.
The order also said, Shree Lingaraj Temple Administration can take appropriate decision for opening the Temple on or after 23rd August.
At Lord Lingaraj Temple at any point of time maximum of 100 nos. of devotees will be allowed from Singhadwara to Ada-Katha.
Sahana darshan/Garva Griha darshan will be completely prohibited. Similarly, no offering to the Lord shall be accepted by the sebayats and only darshan will be allowed.
BMC shall do the necessary barricading outside the temple and handover to Police for control and restriction on the movement of public.
Similarly, all other religious institutions like Mosque, Church, Gurudwara will also be allowed to open from 23 AUGUST.
The religious institution authorities shall ensue that only that many devotees are allowed inside the premises so that social distancing of 6 feet among them is maintained.
At any point of time, not more than 25 person will be allowed to be congregated at any religious institutions like Temple/Mosque/Church/Gurudwara.
All Temple/Mosque/Church/Gurudwara authority shall ensure RT-PCR testing of their priests/sebayats and only RT-PCR negative and final vaccination certificate holder will be allowed to perform rituals.
The sebayats/priests shall have to put on mask at all times as per Covid Protocol.
All devotees will have to wear mask and maintain social distancing of 6 feet from each other appropriately at all time.
The Temple/Mosque/Church/Gurudwara authorities shall make provision for hand washing/hand sanitizer for the devotees at the entry and exit points.
Spitting inside & outside the premises and chewing of pan/ghutka is strictly prohibited.
The person with SARI/ILI like symptoms shall not be allowed inside. Other vulnerable group of people such as person with co-morbidities, old age persons, pregnant women or children below 18 years of age are advised not to visit religious institutions.
The above guidelines shall be followed scrupulously by all concerned until further order. Any deviation will attract withdrawal of this permission for that institution.
