Bid To Contain The Spread Of COVID-19 Pandemic, Haryana Urban Local Bodies Department

Chandigarh, June 7: In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic, Haryana Urban Local Bodies Department has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) regarding the preventive measures to be followed in religious places/places of worship, Hotels, Restaurants and other Hospitality Services and Shopping Malls within the Municipal limits of the State.
Sharing more details, an official spokesman of Haryana Urban Local Bodies Department said that the state government has decided to regulate and restrict these activities and issued SoPs following the guidelines and instructions as issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Health and Family Welfare.

He said that as per the issued SOPs, the religious places, places of worship for public, and Shopping Malls within the Municipal limits would be re-opened in a regulated and restricted manner with effect from June 8, 2020. However, no such activities would be allowed in Gurugram and Faridabad districts in view of a large number of positive cases being found on a daily basis during the last ten days. He said that the generic preventive measures including simple public health measures, social distancing, wearing of face covers or masks would be observed by all workers and visitors in these places at all times. However, the Religious places/places of worship for public, Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, in containment zones shall remain closed, only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.

The spokesman said that the persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purpose and the Religious places/places of worship for public, Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls management are to advise accordingly.

He said that at the Religious places/places of worship for public, Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet in public places as far as feasible and use of face covers or masks would be mandatory. Frequent handwashing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty should be done. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20seconds) can be made wherever feasible and respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. However, Installation and use of the Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all.
He said that all religious places should ensure that Shoes/ footwear should preferably be taken off inside their own vehicle and if needed they should be kept in separate slots for each individual or family by the persons themselves. Touching of statues, idols, and holy books, etc. will not be allowed.

The spokesman said that the Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. Only asymptomatic staff and guests will be allowed. All staff and guests to be allowed entry only if using face cover or masks.

All employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant employees, and employees who have underlying medical conditions, to take extra precautions. Large gatherings or congregations continue to remain prohibited. Preferably separate entry and exits for guests, staff, and goods or supplies shall be organized. Besides this, the number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms. Details of the guest (travel history, medical condition, etc.) along with ID and self-declaration form must be provided by the guest at the reception.

The Spokesman said that as per the SOPs issued for restaurants, the staff for home deliveries shall be screened thermally by the restaurant authorities prior to allowing home deliveries.
The spokesman said that in the shopping malls, any shops, stalls, cafeteria, etc., outside and within the premises should follow social distancing norms at all times. Besides this, the number of customers inside the shop to be kept at a minimum, so as to maintain the physical distancing norms. He said that cinema halls inside shopping malls will remain closed.