The State government has modified its earlier guidelines with regards to opening of places of worship by cutting down the seating capacity to 25 per cent in the Shillong agglomeration.
Chief Secretary, MS Rao in an order issued today said that the duration of the services shall not exceed 45 minutes. However, places of worship in rural areas can continue to function at 50 per cent of the seating capacity and duration should not exceeding 45 minutes, he added.
Stating that SOPs and protocols relating to Covid appropriate behaviour are not being followed in some places of worship, the Chief Secretary has urged religious leaders to ensure putting in place a mechanism for devotees to strictly adhere to all the protocols.
The government has also directed the deputy commissioners to carry out periodic inspections and regulate the schedule and timing depending on the local situation. The DCs are also authorized to close down any religious place of worship for flouting protocols and social distancing norms.
