Ministry asks ASI to re-open 23 Centrally protected monuments in Nagpur Circle from today

By Kaushik Bhattacharya :

■ SOP issued by Health Ministry to be followed by monument managements after reopening

UNION Ministry of Culture and Tourism has approved to re-open 23 Centrally protected monuments of Nagpur Circle under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which have places of worship from June 8. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel announced that the Ministry of Culture is going to open 820 Centrally protected monuments and the 23 monuments of Nagpur circle also come under that. Patel also said that all the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be followed in these monuments.

In its order, Ministry of Culture said that ASI shall ensure that preventive measures as stipulated in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the religious places and places of worship are effectively put in place and scrupulously followed while opening and managing these Centrally Protected Monuments (CPM). ASI shall also further ensure that it follows all other directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and FamilyWelfare in this regard. Ministry of Culture also requested ASI to share the list of these 820 CPMs proposed to be opened on June 8 with the respective States and the Districts concerned and that any state and/or district specific orders with regard to containment and prevention of spread of COVID-19 are also comprehensively implemented.

The religious places have to adopt the following precautionary measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 after their opening:

1. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitiser dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.

2. Only medically fit persons shall be allowed in the premises.

3.All persons to beallowed entry only if using face cover/ masks.

4. Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID19 to be displayed prominently. Audio and Video clips to spread awareness on preventive measures for COVID-19 should be regularly played.

5. Proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises –duly following social distancing norms shall be organised.

6. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc., outside and within the premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times.

7.Preferably separate entry and exits for visitors shall be organised.

8. Maintain physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet at all times when queuing up for entry.

9. People should wash their hand and feet with soap and water before entering the premises.

10. Large gatherings/congregation continue to remain prohibited.

11. Common prayer mats should be avoided and devotees should bring their own prayer mat or piece of cloth which they may take back with them. 12. Effective sanitation within the premises shall be maintained with particular focus on lavatories, hand and foot-washing stations/areas.

Monuments of Nagpur Circle to re-open today MAHAKALI Temple, Chandrapur; Achaleshwar Temple, Chandrapur; Group of Temples Markanda, Champrshi, Gadchiroli; Sakharkherda Mosque, Buldhana; Mahadev Temple, Sindkhed Raja, Buldhana; Anandeshwar Temple, Lasur, Amravati; Gaimukh Temple and Tank, Lonar, Buldhana; Gaimukh temple No 1 of Daityasudan, Lonar, Buldana; Daityasudan temple, Lonar, Buldana; Vishnu Temple and remains of an Old Building at Satgaon Bhusari, Buldana; Three old temples at Dhotra Nandai, Buldana; Raje Lakhujirao Jadhao Samadhi, Sindkhed Raja, Budana; Fifteen temples on the way down to lake at Lonar, Buldana; Two old temples at Kothali, Buldana; Mahadev temple, Sakegaon, Buldana; Dharmashala at Mehkar, Buldana; Rohinkhed Mosque, Buldana; Lalkhan Tomb and Tank, Amner, Amrawati; Black StoneTemple, Bhawani BarsiTakli, Akola; Narnala Fort Mosque, Akola; Nath Baba, Padampur, Gondia; Mahadev Temple, Ghogra, Nagpur and Mound on which the Jagannath temple stand, Bhandara.

Regional offices yet to receive instructions DESPITE receiving directives from Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the ASI has not yet issued any guidelines to its regional offices to reopen their 820 Centrally protected monuments which have places of worship, from Monday. “The decision of re-opening of centrally protected monuments of Nagpur Circle that comes under ASI will be taken at Director General level and no such instructions West Region have received yet,” said Dr Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Regional Director, West Region, ASI to The Hitavada. Dr Sahu said, “The decision camp up at Ministerial level and the regional offices will take step forward after getting instructions from the Head Office.”

In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises: 1. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others. 2. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor. 3. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline. 4. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfecting. 5. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.