New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Health issued the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed in entertainment parks and other similar places outside the containment zones to contain the spread of COVID-19.
According to the guidelines, prior to resumption of activities, all work areas, public utility areas and open spaces, including rides, museums, gardens, food courts, gift shops, theatres, etc. will have to be sanitised. Thereafter, this needs to be done on a regular basis.
All visitors will have to mandatorily sanitise their hands before and after using rides and the frequently touched surfaces of equipment must be disinfected before commencing the ride, along with ensuring physical distancing in rides, it added.
“Even though most swimming pools have been directed to remain shut, administration of water themed amusement parks and water rides will have to ensure adequate and regular water filtration and chlorination as per laid down standards,” as per the guidelines.
SoPs for preventive measures to be followed in Entertainment Parks released.
https://t.co/VSExcZpGjK pic.twitter.com/NbFtfk6NGM— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) October 8, 2020
Moreover, only asymptomatic persons (managerial staff, employees, visitors) will be allowed in the premises. “Management staff, employees and visitors living in containment zones shall not be allowed entry in amusement park and other similar places. All employees and visitors to be allowed entry only if using face cover and masks,” the guidelines said.
It added, employees who are at higher risk, such as, older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions must take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public.
With an aim to protect the vulnerable, the government has advised the persons above 65 years of age, those with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years to stay at home.
“Also, amusement parks and similar places in containment zones have been prohibited to operate. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to reopen,” the SOP noted.
The guidelines also mentioned the importance of ensuring physical distancing inside and outside the premises, for which it advised that specific markings be made on the floor.
Furthermore, for crowd management, the ministry directed that the density planning should be done to factor-in requirements for these peak days.
In addition to this, provision for online tickets must be encouraged, the tickets sold shall be commensurate with the floor area per person that is required for fulfilling the physical distancing norms.
The ministry guidelines further advised the use of CCTV in large numbers to monitor crowding at any rides or food court etc. as entry of visitors inside the park will have to be limited to ensure proper social distancing.
-RJV
