Covid monitors to ensure festival season guidelines are followed

LUDHIANA : As the festive season is around the corner, the Punjab home department on Tuesday issued guidelines for Ramleela and Dussehra celebrations.

Covid monitors will be put up to keep a check on safety norms and only limited number of people will be allowed at an event.

The organising committees across various districts of the state who have sought permission to conduct celebrations will be apprised of the guidelines and if found violating norms, punitive action will be taken, said Ludhiana commissioner of police Rakesh Kumar Agrawal.

As per the guidelines, gatherings for Dussehra festivities can be permitted beyond the limit of 100 persons outside containment zones subject to conditions. “In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/space in the view, with the permission of the district magistrate and with observance of social distancing, wearing of masks, thermal scanning and use of hand sanitisers, the festivities can be permitted beyond the limit of 100 persons,” read the guidelines.

In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity is allowed with a ceiling of 200 persons. “It is mandatory to depute Covid monitors during Dussehra celebrations on October 25 and ensure the guidelines are strictly adhered to. Covid monitors are to be put up by the respective organising committees,” said Ludhiana DC Varinder Kumar Sharma, adding that residents should remain watchful as the pandemic is still not over.