New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday released a set of guidelines for the religious and commercial establishments set to reopen on Monday after a gap of over two months. The first phase of the government’s plan to unlock India will come into effect from June 8 when religious places, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to reopen. Even as several commercial activities were allowed by the government during the latest phases of the nationwide lockdown, religious places, shopping malls and restaurants have been closed for any visitors since March 25. As the phase-1 of Unlock India comes into effect on Monday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued the standard operating procedure (SOP) to contain the spread of Covid-19 at the places being reopened. SOP for religious places: Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. Only asymptomatic persons shall be allowed on the premises. All persons to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks. Posters/standees on preventive measures about Covid-19 to be displayed prominently. Audio and video clips to spread awareness on preventive measures for Covid-19 should be regularly played. Staggering of visitors to be done, if possible. Shoes/footwear to be preferably taken off inside their own vehicle. If needed, they should be kept in separate slots for each individual/family by the persons themselves. Proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises duly following social distancing norms – shall be organised. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc, outside and within the premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times. Specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises. Preferably separate entry and exits for visitors shall be organised. Maintain physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet at all times when queuing up for entry. People should wash their hand and feet with soap and water before entering the premises. Seating arrangements to be made in such a way that adequate social distancing is maintained. For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which say that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius; relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70 per cent; intake of fresh air should be as much as possible; and cross ventilation should be adequate. Touching of statues/idols/holy books etc not to be allowed. In view of the potential threat of the spread of infection, as far as feasible, recorded devotional music/songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed. Common prayer mats should be avoided and devotees should bring their own prayer mat or piece of cloth which they may take back with them. No physical offerings like prasad/distribution or a sprinkling of holy water, etc to be allowed inside the religious place. Community kitchens/langars/ann-daan etc at religious places should follow physical distancing norms while preparing and distributing food. Effective sanitation within the premises shall be maintained with particular focus on lavatories, hand and foot-washing stations/areas. The floors should particularly be cleaned multiple times on the premises. In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises, the authorities at the religious place must: a. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others. b. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor. c. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline. d. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding the management of the case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection. e. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive. SOP for hotels Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. Only asymptomatic staff and guests shall be allowed. All staff and guests to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks. The face cover/masks have to be worn at all times inside the hotel. Adequate manpower shall be deployed by hotel management for ensuring social distancing norms. Staff should additionally wear gloves and take other required precautionary measures. All employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions, to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public. Hotel management to facilitate work from home wherever feasible. Proper crowd management in the hotel as well as in outside premises like parking lotsduly following social distancing norms shall be ensured. Large gatherings/congregations continue to remain prohibited. Valet parking, if available, shall be operational with operating staff wearing face covers/ masks and gloves as appropriate. A proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. of the vehicles should be taken up. Preferably separate entry and exits for guests, staff and goods/supplies shall be organized. Maintaining physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet, when queuing up for entry and inside the hotel as far as feasible. Specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises. Number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms. Use of escalators with one person on alternate steps may be encouraged. 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. Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures about Covid-19 to be displayed prominently. Hand sanitizers must be kept at the reception for guests to use. Guests to sanitize hands before and after filling relevant forms including A&D register. Hotels must adopt contactless processes like QR code, online forms, digital payments like e-wallet etc. for both check-in and check-out. Luggage should be disinfected before sending the luggage to the rooms. Guests who are at higher risk ie those who are older, pregnant or those who have underlying medical conditions are advised to take extra precautions. Guests should be advised not to visit areas falling within the containment zone. Required precautions while handling supplies, inventories and goods in the hotel shall be ensured. Proper queue management and disinfection shall be organised. SOP for restaurants: Seating arrangement in the restaurant also to be made in such a way that adequate social distancing is maintained. Disposable menus are advised to be used. Instead of cloth napkins, use of good quality disposable paper napkins to be encouraged. Contactless mode of ordering and digital mode of payment (using e-wallets) to be encouraged. Buffet service should also follow social distancing norms among guests. Room service or takeaways to be encouraged, instead of dine-in. Food delivery personnel should leave the packet at guest or customer’s door and not handed directly to the receiver. The staff for home deliveries shall be screened thermally by the hotel authorities prior to allowing home deliveries. For room service, communication between guests and in-house staff should be through intercom/ mobile phone and room service (if any) should be provided while maintaining adequate social distance. Gaming arcades/children play areas (wherever applicable) shall remain closed. For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed. Effective and frequent sanitation within the premises shall be maintained with particular focus on lavatories, drinking and handwashing stations/areas. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, benches, washroom fixtures, etc) to be made mandatory in all guest service area and common areas. Rooms and other service areas shall be sanitized each time a guest leaves. In the kitchen, the staff should follow social distancing norms at workplace. Kitchens area must be sanitized at regular intervals. In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises, the authorities at the restaurants must: a. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others. b. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor. c. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline. d. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding the management of the case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection. e. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.
