Meghalaya Govt to again meet religious groups on Tuesday

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 8, 2020

The state government will again convene a meeting with all religious organizations on Tuesday, to further discuss the re-opening of places of worship from June 14.

“We will be meeting all religious groups to discuss the issue on re-opening of places of worship,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a review meeting held on Monday.

He informed that after the first meeting held on Friday last week, the government has also finalized the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in religious places in the state.

“The SOPs have also been issued to all respective religious organizations for necessary action and compliance,” Tynsong said.

Meanwhile, the order issued by the Chief Secretary MS Rao for implementing the SOPs said as far as churches are concerned, maximum number of persons allowed during any church service should not exceed one-third the seating capacity of the church adding one row in between two pews should be left empty.

The order also asked individuals to maintain a minimum distance of 5 feet for prayers as far as feasible in Mosques, Temples, Gurudwaras and other religious places of worship.

Stating that touching of statues, idols, holy books etc, not to be allowed, it said for churches, persons may bring their hymn books and Holy Bibles and sharing is not permitted.

The order further maintained that large gatherings or congregation will continue to remain prohibited.

In view of potential threat of spread of infection, as far as feasible recorded devotional music/songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed. In churches, even while singing hymns masks should be worn at all times.

The order said marriage ritual in places of worship is permitted, provided that the number of guests should not exceed one-third the capacity of the place of worship and individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 5 feet.

No physical offerings like Prasad/distribution or sprinkling of holy water, etc. should normally be allowed inside the religious place.

During, Holy Communion in churches, Priest/Pastor/person who administers the Holy Communion should wash and sanitize their hands, and wear gloves if feasible, before administering the Holy Communion and to further ensure that there is no physical contact with the communicants.

The order also also advised that baptism may be avoided for the time being.

For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasises that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 o C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.

The order also asked the religious institutions to advise the people above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years to stay at home.

It said use of face covers/masks, practice frequent hand washing with soap, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, respiratory etiquettes are to be strictly followed.