In pursuance of the prov1s1on of para 3(vii) of the Order no. No NSDMA-ER-COVID19/301/2021(Part-11)/5514 dated 16th September 2021 on Relaxations of lockdown regulations- Unlock 6; the re-opening of cinema halls and theatres is permitted in the State, with up to 50% capacity, and subject to adherence to the provisions of the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) as annexed with immediate effect.
This document outlines the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in terms of various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be ensured in cinema halls and theatres to prevent spread of COVID-19.
No Exhibition of Film shall be allowed in containment zones.
The District Task Force (DTF) concerned may consider imposing additional measures as per their field assessment.
1. General Guidelines
The generic measures include public health measures that are to be followed to reduce. the risk of transmission of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (workers and visitors) at all times.
These include:
i. Adequate physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times.
ii. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory at all times.
iii. Availability of hand sanitizers , preferably in the touch-free mode, at entry and exit points as well as common areas within the premises.
iv. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
v. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to State and district helpline.
vi. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
vii. Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all.
2. Entry & Exit points
a. Thermal screening of visitors/staff is to be carried out at entry points. Only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed to enter the premises.
b. Provisions for hand sanitization should be made available at all entry points and in work areas.
c. Designated queue markers shall be made available for entry and exit of the audience from the auditorium and the premises.
d. The Exit should be done in a staggered row-wise manner to avoid crowding.
e. Sufficient time interval between successive screenings on a single screen as well as on various screens in a multiplex shall be provided to ensure row-wise staggered entry and exit of the audience.
3. Seating Arrangements
Seating arrangement inside the auditorium of the cinemas/theatres/multiplexes is to be allowed up to 100% seating capacity.
4. Physical Distancing Norms
a. Proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises-duly following physical distancing norms shall be ensured.
b. Number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining physical distancing norms.
c. Efforts shall be made to avoid overcrowding in the common areas, lobbies and washrooms during the intermission. Audience may be encouraged to avoid movement during the intermission. Longer intermissions may be used to allow audience seated in different rows of the auditorium to move in a staggered manner.
5. Staggered Show Timings at Multiplexes
a. Staggered show timings shall be followed for multiple screens to avoid crowding.
b. The show commencement time, intermission period and finish time of a show at any screen shall not overlap with the commencement time, intermission period or finish time of a show at any other screen in a multiplex.
6. Booking and Payments
a. Digital no-contact transactions should be the most preferred mode for issue/verification/payments for tickets, food, and beverages, etc. by using online bookings, use of e-wallets, QR code scanners, etc.
b. Contact number shall be taken at the time of booking of tickets to facilitate contact tracing.
c. The purchase of tickets at the box office shall be open throughout the day and advance booking shall be allowed to avoid crowding at the sale counters.
d. Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened with adequate
physical distancing norms, to prevent crowding during physical booking of tickets.
e. Floor markers shall be used for physical distancing during queue management at the box office.
7. Sanitization of the Premises
a. Frequent sanitization of the entire premises, common facilities, and all points which come into human contact, e.g. handles, railings, etc. shall be ensured.
b. The cinemas/theatres/multiplexes auditorium shall be sanitized after every screening .
c. Regular cleaning and disinfection of the box office, food and beverage areas, employee and staff lockers, toilets, public areas, and back office areas shall be ensured.
d. Measures for the safety of sanitization staff such as adequate provisions for rational use of gloves, boots, masks, PPE, etc. shall be undertaken.
e. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if any person is found positive.
8. Staff Related Measures
a. Wearing of face cover for staff is mandatory at all work places and adequate stock of such face covers should be made available.
b. All employees who are at higher risk, i.e., older employees, pregnant employees, employees who have underlying medical conditions, to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public.
c. With a view to ensure safety at the workplace, employers on best effort basis should ensure that Aarogya Setu is installed and updated by all employees their mobile phones.
d. Communication and training of the staff on precautions related to COVID-19, respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene, etc. shall be carried out.
e. Self-monitoring of health by all employees/staff and reporting any illness at the earliest shall be ensured.
9. Public Awareness
a. Do's and Don'ts shall be communicated at prominent access points: Online sale points, digital tickets, public areas like lobbies, washrooms, etc.
b. Public Service Announcements on wearing mask, observing physical distancing and maintaining hand hygiene as well as specific announcements on the precautions and measures to be followed within and outside the premises shall be made before the screening, during intermission and at the end of the screening.
c. Provisions must be made for display of Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures about COVID-19 prominently outside and inside of the venues.
10. Air-Conditioning/Cooling
For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which, interalia, emphasizes the following:
a. Temperature Setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24- 300C.
b. Relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%.
c. Re-circulation of air to be avoided to the extent possible.
d. Intake of fresh air should be as much as possible.
e. Cross ventilation should be adequate.
11. Anti-stigma Behaviour
COVID-19 related stigmatization or unruly behavior shall be dealt with strictly by coordination between the auditorium manager(s) and the local authorities.
12. Food and Beverage Area
a. Show timings in the cinema halls to be staggered to ensure that intervals of different shows do not occur simultaneously.
b. Customers shall be encouraged to use cinema apps/QR codes, etc. for ordering food as much as possible.
c. Multiple sale counters in food and beverage area be made available wherever possible.
d. One line systems to be followed using floor stickers to maintain physical distancing at every sale counter.
e. Management shall ensure observance of physical preventing crowds in the food and beverages area distancing and
f. Safe disposal of the food and beverage waste shall be ensured by the management of the premises.
13. Violation of the SOP
Any violation of the above provisions of the SOP will attract action as per legal provisions against the management of the cinema hall/theatre/multiplex or the visitor, as the case may be.
In pursuance of the provision of para 3 (vii) of Order no. No NSDMA-ER-COVID19/301/2021(Part-ll)/5514 dated 16th September 2021 on Relaxations of lockdown regulations- Unlock 6; the re-opening of swimming pools is permitted in the State, with up to 50% capacity, and subject to adherence to the provisions of the Standard Operating Procedure as annexed with immediate effect.
SOP and guidelines for the operation of Swimming Pools in a COVID-19 Environment
1. Scope and Coverage
This document outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be ensured at swimming pools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Swimming pools in Containment Zones shall remain closed.
This SOP applies to all swimming pools allowing such facilities to resume operations outside containment zones and are meant to serve as safety guidelines for operating the facility.
2. Promoting COVID appropriate behaviour
Simple public health measures are to be promoted to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 infection. These measures are to be observed by all (swimmers/coaches/visitors/staff) in these places at all times.
These include:
i. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible, in pool (use of alternate lanes in opposite direction), deck, sitting arena, shower areas etc.
ii. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory, at all times, except when the swimmer is in the pool.
iii. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.
iv. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
v. Self-monitoring of health by all and avoid use of swimming pool if one is suffering from symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
vi. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
vii. Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all.
3. Protecting the vulnerable population
Swimmers/coaches/visitors/staff who are at higher risk i.e. age 65 years or more, pregnant women, children below 10 years, and those who have underlying medical conditions or co-morbidities must avoid using swimming pool.
4. Providing and maintaining healthy environment at swimming pools
i. Prior to resumption of activities, all work areas, common utility areas, railings of the pool the gymnasium/physiotherapy centres (if attached to pools) etc. shall be sanitized with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution (alternatively 70% alcohol based disinfectant for use on metallic surfaces). Thereafter this will be done on a regular basis. Detailed guidelines are available at: https://www.mohfw.qov.in/pdf/Guidelinesondisinfectionofcommonpublicplacesincludinqoffices.pdf
ii. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution or 70% alcohol based disinfectant for use on metallic surfaces) of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs/handles, elevator buttons, handrails, chairs, tabletops, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) and floors, walls etc to be done before start of activities, at the end of the day and at other appropriate times at all locations.
iii. All sanitary staff shall use appropriate PPE (mask, heavy duty gloves, face shields, aprons).
iv. Provisions would be made for multiple hand washing stations and hand sanitizers for the use of swimmers/coaches/ visitors/ staff. Provision of soaps in toilets and hand sanitizers in other common areas in sufficient quantity must be ensured.
v. Deep cleaning of all drinking and hand washing stations, washrooms, showers and lavatories shall be ensured.
vi. Swimmers/coaches/visitors/staff should be advised to dispose of used face covers/masks in separate covered bins placed in common areas.
vii. Swimming pool shall ensure adequate and regular water filtration and chlorination as per laid down standards".
viii. The swimming pool management may make suitable provisions for contact-less payments.
ix. All personal training equipment belonging to any swimmer/coach shall be disinfected every time before use.
x. Sharing of personal articles such as soaps, towels, any other utility must be avoided by all.
xi. Ensure availability of covered dustbins and trash cans in sufficient numbers to manage waste as per CPCB guidelines (available at: https://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/Projects/Bio-Medical-Waste/BMW-GUIDELINESCOVID1.pdf)
5. Planning for operations, scheduling and monitoring of activities of swimming pool
Institutional arrangements
i. The swimming pool management shall be responsible for overall implementation of protocols outlined in this SOP.
* WHO guidelines for safe recreational water environments recommends that for pools with good hydraulics and filtration, free chlorine level of 1 mg/I throughout the pool. (https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/safe-recreational-waterguidelines-2/en/)
ii. One of the staff/coach shall be identified as the Nodal person and sensitized on the basics of COVID-19 available at: https://ieot.gov.in/ieot/explorecourse/course/do3129932645448499 20136 and COVID Appropriate behavior (available at: https://igot.gov.in/igot/plav/content/do31304842933413478411107?contentType=Ex planationResource). He/she shall be well versed with the SOPs issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, as amended from time to time.
iii. Prior to resuming operation of swimming pools, every user and staff shall be sensitized on COVID appropriate behavior, which are to be implemented at the swimming pool.
iv. coverage of Aarogya Setu application among all persons using the pool is desirable.
6. Physical distancing
i. Physical distancing of 6 feet in the premises of the pool shall be ensured. For swimming, alternate lanes of the pool shall be used from both directions to maintain physical distancing, to the extent feasible.
ii. Staggering of swimmers for different events/training sessions to be done, to allow for adequate physical distancing.
iii. Locker rooms for swimmers/ coaches may remain in use provided there is adequate ventilation and regular disinfection.
iv. Physical distancing of 6 feet also will be followed in shower rooms and change areas.
7. Crowd management
CCTV monitoring shall be ensured to detect crowding at the pool, visitor's gallery, common areas etc. and prompt steps must be taken to avoid such crowds.
8. Ensuring ventilation
i. As far as feasible, natural ventilation must be ensured and use of small enclosed spaces must be discouraged.
ii. Circulation of outdoor air needs to be increased, as much as possible, by opening windows and doors, using fans, or other methods.
iii. For air-conditioning/ventilation, of closed enclosures, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30° C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate. Air handling unit needs to be cleaned prior to switching on.
9. Making available COVID related supplies
i. Appropriate arrangements for personal protection devices like face covers/masks, heavy duty gloves, face shields, aprons and other logistics like hand sanitizers, soap, Sodium Hypochlorite solution (1%) etc. shall be made available by management.
ii. Provide an adequate supply of calibrated thermal guns.
iii. Ensure availability of covered dust bins and trash cans in sufficient numbers to manage waste.
10. Creating awareness
Provisions must be made for display of Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures against COVID-19 at prominent places in the premises of the swimming pool.
11. Maintaining Healthy operations
11.1. Risk assessment
i. Swimmers, coaches, visitors and staff shall submit a declaration to the management stating that they (i) are not suffering from any symptoms suggestive or COVID-19, (ii) have not come in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID- 19, (iii) are not residing in an active containment zone.
ii. It is the responsibility of the owners/authorities/agencies, etc., in-charge of the swimming pools concerned to ensure complete adherence to prescribed protocols and to secure declaration from respective users and staff that any activity undertaken shall be in full compliance to these protocols.
iii. Thermal screening of all swimmers/coaches/visitors/staff shall be undertaken prior to allowing access to the pool.
11.2. At the entry and exit points
i. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
ii. Only asymptomatic persons (swimmers, coaches, visitors and staff) to be allowed in the premises.
iii. Separate gates, if feasible, should be used for entry and exit.
iv. Swimmers, coaches, visitors and staff to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks. The face cover/mask has to be worn at all times inside the premises, except for the time the swimmer is in the pool.
11.3. Precautions to be observed at the swimming pool
i. Swimmers and coaches shall be screened by properly calibrated thermal guns at the entry of pool deck.
ii. Wash hands with soap and water/ use hand sanitizer at the time of entry to the pool deck.
iii. Swimmers will shower before entering and after exiting the pool.
iv. Verbal cues should be kept to minimum and screaming should be avoided.
v. Swimmers shall avoid taking pool water in their mouth and if required, spitting shall be done only in the pool gutter.
11.4. Activities in common areas-changing rooms, showers, locker rooms, visitor's gallery/audience stand, etc.
i. Ensure physical distancing norms in all common areas.
ii. In cafeteria, seating arrangement should ensure adequate physical distancing.
iii. Cafeteria staff should wear mask and hand gloves and take other required precautionary measures.
iv. Use of gymnasium (if available in the swimming pool complex), should be in accordance with the provisions of the SOPs enclosed as Annexure-0 to Order NO.CSO/GAB-l/COM/GEN-1/2020/(A) dated 3151 August 2020 (available at: https://covidl9.nagaland.gov.in/docs/1600410622.pdD.
v. In the kitchen, the staff should follow physical distancing norms at work place.
12. Precautions to be followed in case of a suspect case in the premises
i. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others. ii. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor.
iii. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the State or district helpline.
iv. A risk assessment will be under taken by the designated public health authority (district Rapid Response Team /treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection.
v. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.
13. Violation of SOP
Any violation of the provisions of the above SOP will attract action as per legal provisions against the management of the swimming pool or the swimmer/visitor as the case may be.