With the improvement in Covid-19 situation and further unlocking the economic activities, the State Government allowed conduct of all kinds of cultural events from November 20.
However, some restrictions will be there to check Covid-19 spread further. Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena issued an order in this regard. Cultural gatherings/ programmes including melodies, orchestras/ jatras/ operas, classical, folk and other permitted dance forms, cultural competitions, open air theatres/ dramas/ nukkad nataks/ street plays and such other performances have been allowed to open with due compliance to Covid protocols, Jena said.
Auditoriums, assembly halls and similar facilities are allowed to open with restrictions.Local authorities (District Magistrate/SP/ Municipal Commissioner or any other authorised officer) would give permission for open air theatres/ jatras /operas subject to compliance of Covid safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of masks, physical distancing, provision of thermal scanning, etc. Keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, a maximum 2000 persons would be allowed ensuring maintenance of the prescribed physical distancing of six feet and the seating arrangement shall be made accordingly.
As far as possible, the organisers would have to make facilities for online booking of tickets or open a sufficient number of counters to prevent crowding during physical booking of tickets. For indoor halls, the number of spectators shall not exceed 50% of the seating capacity.
As per the order, cinema halls, theatres have been allowed to open with up to 50% capacity. In closed places, the number of persons including the invitees shall not exceed 50% of the hall capacity.The Collector, SP, Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner, can further restrict the number of persons to be allowed in such functions/ gatherings keeping the local situation in mind.
Any person violating the notified measures would be liable to be proceeded against as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and COVID-19 Regulations 2020 besides legal action under Section 188 IPC and other legal provisions as applicable, warned Jena.