Centre issues new guidelines for temples; no more theertha distribution

New Delhi: As all places of worship, malls and hotels in the country is due to reopen from June 8, the Union Health Ministry has released guidelines for them.

Malls must abide by the general rules. For vallet parking proper regulations such as cleaning vehicle steering, door handles and key handles with disinfectants. Toilets, drinking water and wash areas too should be cleaned regularly.

At food courts only 50 per cent seats should be filled, non-contact methods for ordering food should be employed and emphasis must be on digital payments.

In restaurants, parcel services must be stressed. Food delivery executives must return after delivering the packet of food outside the doorstep of the customer. Each employee of the restaurant must be subjected to thermal screening. High quality paper napkins must be used instead of cloth napkins.

For temples and other places of worship, the following rules have been framed:
– No distribution of prasadams or teertha
– Hand and foot must be washed before entry
– Idols/holy scriptures should not be touched
– No mass worship/congregations
– No common mats for worshippers. Devotees to bring their own mats
– Places with food halls to maintain strict social distance
– No entry with footwear
– For queues, specific markings must be made
– Separate entry and exit