The interior of a church in Dimapur. Churches and other religious place can now open at full capacity with ‘immediate effect,’ informs an order issued by Nagaland Government on February 13. (Morung File Photo: For representational purposes only)
COVID-19 appropriate behavior, however, must be followed at all times, informs an order issued by the State’s Home Department
Kohima, February 13 (MExN): Churches and other religious place can now open at full capacity with “immediate effect” with adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior, informed an order issued by Nagaland Home Department on February 13.
"The number of persons to be allowed in any religious place/place of worship is up to 100% of the capacity of that building/place, subject to adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour such as wearing of mask and hand sanitization,” stated the order signed by Principal Secretary, Home Abhijit Sinha.
The February 13’s order is a partial modification of Order issued by the Office of Chief Secretary, Nagaland on June 6, 2020 regarding opening of religious places/places of religious worship.
The June 6 order had directed all religious places to ensure that the number of persons to be allowed in any religious place/place of worship at any point of time should not be more 30% of its capacity.
It was modified as 100% capacity on Saturday.
“The above modification shall come into force with immediate effect with the remaining conditions/provisions of the aforesaid Order remaining unchanged,” it added.
Among others, it included generic preventive measures such as minimum distance of 6 feet in public places as far as feasible; mandatory uses of face covers/masks; frequent hand washing with soap and use alcohol-based hand sanitisers; practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/ flexed elbow; and Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.'
The religious places specific preventive measures included opening for worship between 5 AM to 5 PM only as well as mandatory provision of hand hygiene (sanitizer) and thermal screening provisions.
It also stipulated that only asymptomatic persons with face covers/masks shall be allowed into the premises.
Besides, it also called for proper crowed management in the parking lots and outside the premises while specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises.
