All religious institutions in Bhubaneswar would reopen from January 3, informed he Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday.
The institutions would be reopened with strict observance of Covid-19 protocols, which the committees of the institutions shall ensure, the BMC said The committees would submit an undertaking/declaration to the BMC regarding dates of opening of their religious places and maximum number of devotees to remain present at one point of time.
Based on the undertaking, the BMC would issue an order regarding the maximum number of devotees to congregate at a time.
Those with SARI/ILI-like symptoms shall not be allowed into the religious institutions.
Other vulnerable groups of people such as persons with co-morbidities, elderly persons, pregnant women or children below 10 years are advised not to visit the religious institutions, the BMC said.
Churches in the city would be allowed to open on December 25 on the occasion of Christmas, the BMC added. The BMC) also issued detailed guidelines for reopening of the Lingaraj Temple on December 27.
From December 27 to 31, only servitors and their families would be allowed into the shrine with strict observance of the Covid-19 protocols.
On January 1 and 2, the temple would remain closed even for the sevayats. However, the daily rituals would take place.
From January 3, the temple would be opened exclusively for Bhubaneswar citizens. The devotees have to produce Covid negative reports obtained during the last five days before going into the temple.
From January 6, tourists and devotees from other parts of the State or country would be allowed entry.