The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday January 27, 2021 issued fresh COVID-19 guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution against the novel and deadly coronavirus. The ministry in its statement promised to bring in new SOPs for increasing the seating in cinema halls and use of other public places like religious buildings, swimming pools and others for everyone.

The Ministry said in a statement, “Social, religious, sports, entertainment, educational, cultural and religious gatherings have already been permitted up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces; and keeping of the size of the ground or space in view, in open spaces. Now, such gatherings will be allowed subject to SOP of the state or the UT concerned.”

MHA Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution

All activities permitted outside Containment ZonesStates/ UTs mandated to continue to enforce Containment measures and SOPs on various activities and COVID-Appropriate behavior

Press release-https://t.co/54T4J8cHKU

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) January 27, 2021

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Cinema halls and theatres were earlier allowed to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in consultation with MHA.

Swimming pools, which have already been permitted for sports persons now will be permitted for everyone’s use and a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. However, the ministry guidelines say that persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to take necessary precautions.

(Source: Twitter)