Guwahati: Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced a set of rules and restrictions to be followed by the people of Assam during the celebration of Rongali Bihu following the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Taking to his Twitter Dr. Sarma wrote, “In view of fresh spike in #COVID19 cases across many states, Assam has geared up its Covid management strategies and taking up need-based steps to contain spread of the disease. Please see attached #Covid SOP for #Bihu & other festivals & adhere to these.”
URGENT INFORMATION
In view of fresh spike in #COVID19 cases across many states, Assam has geared up its Covid management strategies and taking up need-based steps to contain spread of the disease. Please see attached #Covid SOP for #Bihu & other festivals & adhere to these. pic.twitter.com/NolCAlFqZ0
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 9, 2021
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act,1897 the Assam government has notified the following COVID19 guidelines for organizing the forthcoming Bihu celebrations
Permission for Organizing functions and other festivals:
1. The event organizers are to seek permission from the District Administration of the concerned district for organizing any event resulting in a public gathering, mentioning the number of people likely to gather at the proposed event and the maximum capacity of the place/site where the event is proposed to be held.
2. This will enable District Administration to extend all possible support to the event organizers for a successful and safe celebration of the event.
3. The program festival/ event has to be concluded by 11.00 PM mandatorily.
Testing of Organizers and volunteers:
1.All the organizers and volunteers involved in the organization of functions and festivals must test themselves for COVID-19 three (3) days prior to and after the event mandatorily.
2. Necessary assistance from the nearest Government Private testing facility may be taken in this regard.
Arrangements at the Program Festival/ event site:
1. The event spot/site should be spacious and must be kept open from all sides.
2. The event area must have adequate space for the arrangement of physical distancing (as per COVID-19 protocol).
3. There should be multiple entry and exit gates and must be separate.
4. Organizers must take measures to avoid crowding at all costs.
5. Each and every participant should be screened for fever using thermal scanners by the volunteers and anyone having a higher temperature may be advised to • report to the nearest health facility for testing and should not be allowed to enter the event area.
6. Proper signage must be there from entry to exit so that visitors are guided to adhere to COVID appropriate behaviour once s/he enter the event area.
7. The sitting arrangements should be made in such a way that required social distancing is maintained between the chairs. In the case of fixed chairs, alternate seats may be considered.
8. The organizers must engage volunteers at different points inside the event area to help out visitors.
Keeping adequate volunteers available:
1. The event organizers must keep an adequate number of volunteers inside and outside the event area to ensure that visitors maintain physical distancing, wear masks properly and sanitize hands while visiting the event area.
2. Volunteers themselves must follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour while interacting with visitors.
Compulsory use of mask and hand sanitizer:
1. Proper usage of the mask is mandatory for visitors/organizers.
2. Provision of hand sanitizer must be kept at the entry gate and even in the nearby area including the parking area.
3. The event area must be sanitized twice daily (once before the crowd gathers and once after the crowd leaves the venue) as a strict public health measure.
Emphasis on Print, Electronic and Social Media to maintain COVID protocol:
1. The use of print, electronic and social media must be optimally done to generate mass awareness about the COVID-19 protocols for organizing the event.
2. Organizing Committee members must put up Posters and signage in the event area for encouraging people to get vaccinated and for following COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
