SOP asks temples to disinfect thrice a day, bans distribution of prasadam

According to the SOP released by G Prakash, Chennai Corporation Commissioner, the order has been released in accordance with the government order that allowed the opening of small temples with an annual income of less than Rs 10,000, small mosques, dargahs and churches and other religious places.

“Apart from disinfecting the religious places, hand wash facilities should be provided along with soap dispensers at the entrance for mandatory hand washing. Prayers and other rituals should be performed by maintaining social distance norms and without any large gathering at any given point of time,” the SOP says.

In another condition to prevent the spread of the virus from the places of worship, the civic body also bans the distribution of food (prasadam) on the premises. The order also warns the management of the religious places of penal action under Disaster Management Act, 2005.

In order to open the religious place, the managements should send applications to the civic body through www.chennaicorporation.gov.in. The application would be scrutinised and permission would be granted through online. Also, the permission obtained from the authority should be displayed at the visible place and it should be shown to the inspection officer.