Preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 during Yaoshang Festival
- 17th March, 2021 -

JOINT ADVISORY ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTAIN SPREAD OF COVID-19 DURING YAOSHANG FESTIVAL

Government Of Manipur
(Health Department/Youth Affairs & Sports Department)
Imphal, the 17th March, 2021

1. Background:

Yaoshang Festival Is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the State. However, it is important to prevent spread of Covid-19 infection as people engage in sports and other events associated with the Yaoshang festival.

The pandemic is still not over and such events can become "Super Spreader events if proper preventive measures are not taken up. Presently, in some states of the country including Maharashtra, Kerala, and Gujarat, the infection from Covid- 19 is still a major public health problem.

Moreover, new strains of Covid-19, namely, UK strain, Brazil strain etc are also emerging to add to the existing international health issue posed by Covid- 19. Yaoshang Sports organizers, parents, youths and people from all walks of life shall adhere to protocols and preventive measures outlined in this document during Yaoshang.

Therefore, Home Department had issued Orders dated 9th March, 2021 imposing regulations for celebration of Yaoshang, The Order stated that Yaoshang sports maybe organized subject to observance of SoP. The SoP will be as outlined in paragraphs below.

2. Preventive Measures at the Yaoshang Sports arena:

i. All forms of contact sports events shall be prohibited.
ii. Separate Entry and Exit points should be maintained in the entire sports arena.
iii. All participants and spectators shall wear face masks and maintain social distancing throughout the event.
iv. Under aged kids (below 5 years of age) should not be allowed to participate in the events and children between the age of 5 to 14 shall be accompanied by a guardian at all times.
v. Sports participants may remove masks only at the start of the event (specific activity) they are participating and wear them again once the event/competition is over.
vi. Sports Organizers shall ensure availability of hand washing facilities/hand sanitizers, face masks etc during the Sports events. The organizing team should designate persons to supervise and monitor Covid appropriate behaviour in the event they are organizing.
vii. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited in and around the play field and workout areas.
viii. All sports events/competitions/prize distributions shall not be allowed after 06:00 P.M. on all days. All activities should be completed by 6.00 PM latest.
ix. The size of the crowd/ gathering should be restricted to a maximum of 100 persons at all times.
x. Musical Concerts and other forms of entertainment which may result in crowding of people is prohibited.
xi. Every Clubs/ Organizing Committee should have a dedicated Covid-19 Task Team to regulate the Advisory during the event hours and display the Covid-19 Emergency/Helpline Numbers.

3. Preventive Measures outside Sports Arena:

i. Movement of overcrowded vehicles shall not be allowed- 4 wheeler vehicles shall carry only 4 persons while 2-wheelers not more than two persons during Yaoshang.
ii. No overcrowding of vehicles shall be allowed at the Oil Pumps for refuelling.
iii. Road blockade enforced with/without ropes across the road for monetary subscriptions shall not be allowed.

4. Torch lighting relay:

i. Social distancing should be maintained at Torch lighting relay at Kangla or other locations. A maximum of 20 persons shall be allowed to carry the torch till Kangla and only S persons shall be allowed inside Kangla for the Torch relay.

5. Covid-19 Emergency/Helpline Numbers

i. 1800-3453818
ii. 104 [Manipur Mental Health Helpline]
iii. 0385-2414009

Sd/-
Bobby Waikhom
Commissioner (YAS)
Government of Manipur

V. Vumlunmang
Principal Secretary (Health & FW)
Government of Manipur