The DTF Kiphire held a meeting with faith based organizations on June 12 at the DC’s conference hall, Kiphire. (DIPR Photo)
KIPHIRE, JUNE 13 (MExN): Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire, Sarita Yadav convened a meeting with regard to opening places of worship for public. The meeting was attended by representatives from all the faith based organisations.
The Medical Department informed on the categories of people who are vulnerably susceptible to get COVID-19. The DC informed that an order was received from higher authority to sensitize faith based organisations. She said that under the new SOPs relaxations were given to open places of worship. However, only 30 percent attendees will be sanctioned maintaining social distancing of 6 feet at any point of time, and allotted time would be from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm. She advised all to keep sanitisers/ thermal scanner at the ingressions.
USBLA Secretary Dr Apise meanwhile stated that every civil society organization and religious bodies must adhere with the authorities and endeavor to make the district COVID free. All Baptist Churches in town will remain closed till further order as apprised by the Pastor, it was added.
It was decided that only asymptomatic persons will be sanctioned to attend places of worship. The members additionally decided to preclude physically contacting of statues, choir singing, physical contact/handshake, sprinkling of Holy water, and sharing of prasad
The members additionally discussed on utilization of face mask to be indispensable, alcohol - predicated hand sanitisers to be arranged, seating arrangements to be made in such way that adequate physical distance is maintained, and respiratory ettiquettes to be followed.
The meeting also resolved that place of worship should be disinfected between programs as per protocol, and posters/awareness materials are exhibited prominently in local dialect.
Meanwhile, the Noklak Sub-Divisional Administration also held a consultative meeting with the church leaders- Khiamniungan Baptist Churches Association Staff, Pastors and Deacons of all the churches.
The meeting decided that status quo will be maintained and that the Church Service will be kept in abeyance until such time when the individual churches are in a position to fulfill the criteria and conditions laid down by the Government.
The house identified the need for seminar/training with regards to preparation of disinfectants, from where to source, techniques of sensitization etc and therefore decided to approach the hospital Authority for assistance and guidance.
During the meeting, Dr Jongyah, MO PHC Thonoknyu gave a short speech on the impact of stigmatization and discrimination on the COVID-19 patients and Returnees. Stressing on the effect of the stigmatization and discrimination, he called upon all for raising awareness so as to reduce anxiety and stress that impairs immunity thereby worsening the psyche and well-being of the patients and people in quarantine.
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