Culture Ministry issues detailed SOPs for cultural functions and program to facilitate public vents

Based on the Unlock 5.0 Guidelines of MHA, and after taking into consideration, suggestions received from various stakeholders in the creative industry, Ministry of Culture issued detailed SOPs for “Cultural Functions & Programs” on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Oct 16, Delhi: These guidelines contain Standard Operating Procedures to be followed by the management of theatres and performance spaces, as well as the entertainment/creative agencies, artists and crew or any other persons who hire the auditoria or any other open/closed performance spaces, whether on payment or gratis. Comprehensive guidelines have been issued for Artists & Crew, management of Green Rooms, Stage management, Costume and makeup trials, Sanitization of the venue including stage, Open area seating etc.

It is clarified that cultural activities shall continue to be prohibited inside containment zones. Further, State/UT Govts may consider proposing additional measures as per their field assessment.

The National Directives for COVID-19 Management and the relevant guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, State/UT Governments, etc. shall be strictly complied with during all activities and operations.

These guidelines shall come into effect immediately and shall continue to be in effect until further orders.

COVID -19 pandemic has hit the cultural and creative economy all ever the world.  However, cultural activities are slowly being resumed. In order to encourage those persons and agencies providing cultural services, as well as consumers of such services, it is important to lay down comprehensive guidelines for the resumption of these cultural activities in India.

Unlock guidelines have been issued by MHA from time to time and apply to all Central Govt and other institutions, subject to notification of Containment Zones in the respective cities/States. Unlock 4.0 guidelines dated 30 August 2020 had allowed 

social/ academic/sports/entertainment /cultural/sports and religious functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons outside containment zones with effect from  21st September 2020, subject to following of all Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing, sanitization etc.

Unlock guidelines 5.0 have been issued by MHA on 30 September 2020 and are currently in force.  The relevant portion of these guidelines with respect to cultural programs [para 1(vii)] is reproduced below-

“Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only. Such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons may be permitted, outside Containment Zones, by State/UT governments after 15th October 2020 only and subject to the following conditions:-

a. In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.

b. In open spaces, keeping the size of the space/ground in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, the mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.

State/UT Govts will issue detailed SOPs, to regulate such gatherings and strictly enforce the same.”