Shillong: The Health and Family Welfare Department of Meghalaya on Wednesday issued new guidelines for conducting weddings and events during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department has prescribed several measures to be taken by both the proprietors and attendees to ensure the smooth conduct of weddings in curches/temples/mosques and other places of worship and minimize the risk of COVID transmissions.
As per the guidelines, the venue shall be well-ventilated and preferably in an open space (based on availability and weather conditions) and the number of participants/attendants should not exceed one-third of the seating capacity.
The venue should be spacious enough to accommodate the guests with social distancing up to 2 metres, and no air conditioning should be used.
Moreover, the proprietors have been advised to provide hand sanitizers at the entrance or exit and keep the hall or space well sanitized and hygienic. The proprietor has also been asked to maintain a list of all attendees, event managers and workers of such event.
The spacing and sanitization arrangements shall be inspected by an officer deputed by the District Administration.
The number of participants/attendants (either in a Church or Hall) should not exceed one-third of the seating capacity including all of the hosts.
Senior citizens above the age of 65 and Children below the age of 10 shall be taken extra care while attending the marriage.
Hosts may make arrangements for online viewing of the event.
Anyone having symptoms of cough, cold or fever should not be allowed to attend the event.
Any gift items that are to be carried with hands may be avoided. Online gifts may be encouraged.
As per the guidelines, all the guests should download and use the Aarogya Setu app during and after the event.