The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday decided to reopen all religious institutions in its jurisdiction for devotees from February 12. The decision was taken in view the declining daily Covid-19 cases.
“All the temples located in Bhubaneswar can reopen from February 12 but with strict observance of Covid-19 safety protocols. Only those devotees who are fully vaccinated (if eligible for vaccination) will be allowed inside the temple premises,” a BMC notification stated.
The devotees would be asked to produce either hard copy of the vaccination certificate or soft copy in mobile phone or tablets to ascertain whether they are fully vaccinated.
The devotees would be required to bring their photo ID card namely Aadhar, Voter ID or any other photo ID card for identification.
“However, no devotee would be allowed inside the Garva Griha of the temple. Darshan will be allowed from a safe distance only. There shall be no offerings like Bhoga. in the temple until further orders,” the notification added.
Children below the age of 15 years would be allowed into the temple or religious institutions with proper proof of identification such as Aadhar Card and only under the supervision of their parents or adult relatives.
For the Lord Lingaraj temple, maximum 100 devotees at a time would be allowed from Singhadwar to Ada Katha.
All other religious institutions like mosque, church and gurudwaras would also be allowed to open from February 12 for fully vaccinated devotees.
All the religious institutions management shall ensure that only the priests and Sevayats who are fully vaccinated are allowed to perform rituals and must put on mask at all times.
All devotees must wear mask and maintain appropriate social distancing of six feet from each other at all times.
“The guidelines contained above shall be in force till February 28 and must be flowed scrupulously by all the concerned,” the notification added.