Spike in Covid cases: Assam gears up its Covid management strategies

April 9: In view of fresh spike in COVID-19 cases across many states, Assam has geared up its Covid management strategies and taking up need-based steps to contain spread of the disease. In this connection, the State Health Department has come up with Covid appropriate Guidelines for upcoming festivals and related programmes in Assam.

Government of Assam hereby notified the following guidelines, which are to be strictly adhered to and followed by all the event organizers /visitors/ participants of functions and other festivals in the State, for the general safety and security of all participants against COVID-19.

Permission for Organizing functions and other festivals:

• The event organizers are to seek permission from the District Administration of the concerned district for organizing any event resulting in public gathering, mentioning the number of people likely to gather at the proposed event and the maximum capacity of the place/ site where the event is proposed to be held.
• This will enable District Administration to extend all possible support to the event organizers for successful and safe celebration of the event.
• The programme/ festival/ event have to be concluded by 11.00 PM mandatorily.

Testing of Organizers and volunteers:

• All the organizers and volunteers involved in the organization of functions and festivals must test themselves for COVID-19 three (3) days prior to and after the event mandatorily.
• Necessary assistance from the nearest Government/ Private testing facility may be taken in this regard.

Arrangements at the Programme/ Festival/ event site:

• The event spot/site should be spacious and must be kept open from all sides.
• The event area must have adequate space for arrangement of physical distancing (as per COVID-19 protocol).
• There should be multiple entry and exit gates and must be separate.
• Organizers must take measures to avoid crowding at all cost.
• Each and every participant should be screened for fever using thermal scanners by the volunteers and anyone having higher temperature may be advised to report to the nearest health facility for testing and should not be allowed to enter the event area.
• Proper signage must be there from entry to exit so that visitors are guided to adhere to COVID appropriate behaviour once s/he enters the event area.
• The sitting arrangements should be made in such a way that required social distancing is maintained between the chairs. In case of fixed chairs, alternate seats may be considered.
• The organizers must engage volunteers at different points inside the event area to help out visitors.

Keeping adequate volunteers available:

• The event organizers must keep adequate number of volunteers inside and outside the event area to ensure that visitors maintain physical distancing, wear mask properly and sanitize hands while visiting event area.
• Volunteers themselves must follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour while interacting with visitors.

Compulsory use of mask and hand sanitizer:

• Proper usage of mask is mandatory for visitors/organizers.
• Provision of hand sanitizer must be kept at the entry gate and even in nearby area including parking area.
• The event area must be sanitized twice daily (once before the crowd gathers and once after the crowd leaves the venue) as a strict public health measure.

Emphasis on Print. Electronic and Social Media to maintain COVID protocol:

• The use of print, electronic and social media must be optimally done to generate mass awareness about the COVID-19 protocols for organizing the event.
• Organizing Committee members must put up Posters and signage in the event area for encouraging people to get vaccinated and for following COVID Appropriate Behaviour.