Marriage halls to reopen from September 15 in Sindh, KP and Punjab

After being closed since March 2020, to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus the marriage halls will reopen from September 15 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Punjab.

However, COVID-19 precautionary measures such as wearing face masks and social distancing will have to be observed to ensure the virus does not spread.

Notification in this regard has been issued from the respective provincial governments.

SOPs for reopening of marriage halls:

• Coronavirus tests declared mandatory for the staff of marriage halls
• Staff will be limited to 50 percent at wedding halls
• Wearing masks has been made mandatory
• Screening must be carried out using thermal guns
• Wedding halls will be sanitized before the start of each program
• All marriage halls shall be closed by 10 pm
• No wedding ceremonies or other programs should exceed more than 2 hours

Read More : Govt. announces to reopen restaurants, gyms, marriage halls, cinema

Sindh

According to the notification issued by the Government of Sindh Home Department, wedding events at marriage halls can take place from September 15.

The home department issued the notification upon directives of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), lifting the ban on marriage halls.

Furthermore, the provincial government also issued timings for business activities, i.e,  from 6 am to 8 pm. While shops will be allowed to remain open till 9 pm on Saturday nights.

Medical stores and shops selling items of necessary use will not be subject to the above timings.

KP

The KP government on Monday also announced the reopening of marriage halls throughout the province from Sep, 15, however, no wedding event post 10 pm will be allowed to take place inside the halls.

As per the notification, the wedding halls’ managements have been directed to ensure that people will be seated inside the halls at a safe distance from each other and the staff will be reduced by 50%.

Furthermore, Different marriage events will be allowed to be held in the same hall after a minimum two-hour interval during which the marriage hall will be sanitized.

Managements of wedding halls must ensure that crowds do not build up at the entry and exit gates of the halls and temperatures of those attending the events are checked via thermal guns.

Adding that the sanitizers will be provided to guests at entry points of the halls.

Punjab

In a notification, the Punjab government announced that educational institutions and marriage halls will be reopened across the province from September 15.

The marriage halls to follow SOPs strictly to ensure that the infection will not spread during wedding functions.

Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Mohammad Usman said that posters discouraging shaking hands, hugging, and sharing mobile phones inside wedding halls should be placed in the halls.

Furthermore, wedding halls will be allowed to host only 50% of their capacity, according to the secretary, so that social distancing can be observed.

Mr. Usman also urged the citizens to wear face masks, gloves, and use hand sanitizers for their protection.