All religious institutions to reopen in Bhubaneswar from Jan 3

Bhubaneswar: Except Lingaraj Temple, all religious institutions will reopen in Bhubaneswar from January 3 with strict observance of COVID19 safety protocols, informed Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday.

The local committee of all the religious institutions under the jurisdiction of BMC have to submit an undertaking/declaration to BMC regarding date of opening of their religious places and the maximum number of devotees those will remain present/ accommodated at one point of time by following the social distancing norm.

Based on the undertaking submitted by the religious institution, BMC will issue an order regarding the maximum ceiling of number of devotees to be congregated at one point of time, the BMC said.

The Church under jurisdiction of BMC will be allowed to open on 25th December considering Christmas Celebration.

However, the church authorities shall have to submit the undertaking/declaration to BMC regarding the accommodation of maximum number of devotees at one point of time following the social distancing norm (six feet) according to their capacity of the institution.

Based on the undertaking submitted by the religious institution, BMC will issue an order regarding the maximum ceiling of nos. of devotees to be congregated at one point of time.

However the permission will be valid for December 25 only.