Major relaxation ahead of wedding season
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 3: In a major relaxation ahead of the wedding season, the Jammu and Kashmir administration today allowed the banquet halls in certain districts to hold functions with 25 percent gatherings of the authorized capacity as against the present cap of 50.
The relaxation was given in latest COVID management guidelines released today by the State Executive Committee (SEC) headed by Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary.
“The maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor/outdoor gathering shall be strictly restricted to 25. However, in banquet halls in districts with positivity rate below 0.2 and weekly caseload below 250, gathering shall be permitted up to 25 percent of authorized capacity, preferably in open spaces, for vaccinated persons or persons with verifiable RT-PCR or RAT report not older than 72 hours,” the SEC said.
It asked the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to ensure compliance of the guidelines.
Earlier, the gatherings were restricted to 25 while banquet halls in some districts were allowed to hold functions for 50 persons.
Most of the other COVID related guidelines remained unchanged.
While night curfew will remain in force in all districts from 8 pm to 7 am, the districts with positivity rate below 0.2 and weekly case load less than 250 will observe curfew restrictions from 10 pm to 6 am, the SEC order read.
“The schools, except for relaxations as provided for students of 12th and 10th classes, will continue to remain closed for on-site/in-person teaching,” the order said.
“Classes for 12th standard shall be permitted in the educational institutions with limited in-person teaching not exceeding 50 percent on a given day for vaccinated students and staff. However, the school management will have to obtain consent from the parents of all students who are willing to attend the classes,” the SEC guidelines reiterated.
Entry to the educational institutions will be subject to proper screening regarding vaccination. Screening will be done at the school gate itself.
“If students, teachers and other staff members show symptoms like cough, cold and fever, they will not be allowed to enter the school. Head of the institute must ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and COVID protocols are strictly followed,” the SEC order reiterated.
As far as Class 10th is concerned, limited in-person teaching of students, not exceeding 50 percent on any given day can be permitted by the concerned Deputy Commissioner after ensuring compliance with COVID Appropriate Behaviour by the school management.
However, the classes will be run after due screening through 100 percent Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR which will also be subject to consent of parents and students.
“Limited in person teaching of vaccinated students exceeding 50 percent on any given day shall be permitted in Polytechnics and ITIs subject to consent of parents and students and all measures as per COVID protocols,” the order read.
The SEC has also reiterated reopening of coaching centres for Civil Services/Engineering/NEET with limited in-person teaching but only for fully vaccinated staff and students.
All other coaching centres will continue to remain closed for onsite/in-person teaching, as per the order.
The Administration reiterated that Higher Educational Institutions shall be permitted to commence limited in-person teaching subject to 100 percent vaccination of staff and students and specific permission of concerned Deputy Commissioners.
“Such institutions can organize special vaccination camps in consultation with the district administration. Head of these institutions must ensure that the guidelines related to social distancing and COVID protocols are adhered to,” the order read.
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