On the occasion of Christmas Eve, New Year celebration amid the ongoing pandemic, Nagpur Municipal Corporation has issued guidelines for the Christian community regarding necessary measures to control and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the state.
For Churches to celebrate this year’s Christmas and New Year, it is important to take precautionary measures during the mass.
Due to the consistent efforts made by the co-operation the available statistics show that Covid is now under control and therefore citizens should cooperate with the authorities to curb the spread of the virus.
With this in mind, maintaining social distance, use of masks in public places and frequent sanitization of hands should be adopted, accordingly, the circulations have been issued.
1 This year’s Christmas should be celebrated in a simple way.
2. Prayer meeting to be held in the church should be limited to a maximum of 50 people. Care should be taken that the church will not be crowded in any way and Social Distancing shall be maintained.
3. Disinfection should be arranged in the church. It is also important to pay special attention to the use of masks and sanitizers.
4. Church should ensure to maintain social distance and hygiene between visitors coming to see Christmas decoration like Christmas tree, Crib, or other objects kept in the church on the occasion of Christmas.
5. A maximum of 10 choirs should be included in the church to sing the choir of the Lord Jesus Christ. Social Distancing should be followed using different mics.
6. Shops/stalls should not be set up outside and around the church.
7. Citizens above 60 years of age and children below 10 years of age should avoid going out of the house as much as possible for safety and health reasons and the festival should be celebrated at home. Organizers should make arrangements for online Masses for them.
8. Avoid large gatherings or crowds in public places or on the streets.
9. Religious/cultural events or processions should not be organized to attract crowds in any way.
10. Fireworks should not be set off, strict adherence to rules and regulations regarding noise pollution.
11. The Thanksgiving Mass, to be held in the church on 31st December, should not be held at midnight but at 7.00 pm or earlier.
Any person violating the guidelines issued by NMC from time to time for the prohibition of Covid-19 shall be liable to prosecution under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other legal provisions under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
