Ahead of Rongali Bihu Assam Govt Issues COVID-19 SOP

GUWAHATI: In view of the fresh spike in COVID-19 cases across many states, Assam has geared up its Covid management strategies and taking up need-based steps to contain the spread of the disease.

During the first wave of COVlD 19, Assam could effectively manage the pandemic with a very high recovery rate and low mortality rate. However, with the fresh spike of COVID-19 cases in many states of the country, Assam has geared up its COVID management strategies and is taking up various need-based steps to contain the spread of COVID-19, while keeping the core principles of COVID-19 management. namely, TESTING, TRACING and TREATING (3Ts) along with ramping up of vaccination for the eligible categories. Read more

In line with various guidelines of the Government of India, it is decided to formulate norms of public gathering during the forthcoming Bohag Bihu and other festivals in the State, such as Ram Navami, Ramadan etc, so as to ensure that people are able to celebrate their much-loved festivals with joy and gusto, simultaneously adhering to extant COVID-19 protocols.

The government of Assam hereby notifies the following guidelines, which are to be strictly adhered to and followed by all the event organizers /visitors/participants of functions and other festivals in the State, for the general safety and security of all participants against COVID 19.

1. Permission for Organizing functions and other festivals:

1.1. The event organizers are to seek permission from the District Administration of the concerned district for organizing any event resulting in 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.

1.2. This will enable District Administration to extend all possible support to the event organizers for successful and safe celebration of the event

1.3. The programme/festival/event have to be concluded by 11.00 PM mandatory.

2. Testing of Organizers and volunteers:

2.1. 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 mandatory.

2.2. Necessary assistance from the nearest Government/Private testing facility may be taken in this regard.

3. Arrangements at the Programme/ Festival/ event site:

3.1. The event spot/site should be spacious and must be kept open from all sides.

3.2. The event area must have adequate space for arrangement of physical distancing (as per COVID-19 protocol).

3.3. There should be multiple entry and exit gates and must be separate.

3.4. Organizers must take measures to avoid crowding at all cost.

3.5. Each and every participant should be screened for fever using thermal scanners by the volunteers and anyone having higher temperature may be advised to

• report to the nearest health facility for testing and should not be allowed to enter the event area.

3.6. Proper signage must be there from entry to exit so that visitors are guided to adhere to COVID appropriate behavior once s/he enters the event area.

3.7. The sitting arrangements should be made In such a way that required social distancing is maintained between the chairs. In case or faced chairs, alternate seats may be considered.

3.8. The organizers must engage volunteers at different points inside the event area to help Out visitors.

4. Keeping adequate volunteers available

4.1. The event organizers must keep an adequate number of volunteers inside and outside the event area to ensure that visitors maintain physical distancing, wear mask properly and sanitize hands while visiting the event area.

4.2. Volunteers themselves must follow COVID Appropriate Behavior while interacting with visitors.

5. Compulsory use of mask and hand sanitiser:

5.1. Proper usage of the mask is mandatory for visitors/organizers.

5.2. Provision of hand sanitiser must be kept at the entry gate and even in the nearby area including the parking area.

5.3. 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.

6. Emphasis on Print. Electronic and Social Media to maintain COVID protocol:

6.1. 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.

6.2. Organizing Committee members must put up Posters and signage in the event area for encouraging people to get vaccinated and for following COVID Appropriate Behavior.