Telangana issues SOPs for reopening malls, restaurants

The State on Sunday issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be observed in areas outside the containment zones that are getting reopened. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs directions, religious places and places of worship, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, shopping malls, other than gaming centres and cinema hills, will be permitted to be operated from Monday.

The general SOPs include, provision of hand wash and sanitisers, thermal screening at the entrance, permitting only asymptomatic persons inside, staggered entry of devotees, visitors and customers, making face mask mandatory, prohibition of huge gatherings, and compulsory display of preventive measures of Covid 19.

It is also advised that the temperatures of air conditioners have to be set at a range of 24 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius and relative humidity at a range of 40 per cent to 70 per cent. The seating capacity in public places have to be 50 per cent of the capacity, adequate manpower required to ensure social distancing, disposable menus in restaurants, disposable paper napkins, contactless mode of ordering, waiters and other staff to wear protective gear, and sanitation of furniture and kitchens.

Hotels are advised to maintain



travel history of guests and their ID cards and a self declaration form at the reception. Luggage must be disinfected before sending them to the room. Rooms are to be sanitised each time a guest vacates a room. In shopping malls, loitering should not be allowed and trial clothing must not be permitted.

The Government also issued specific directions for people found positive for infection in any one of the opened up premises. It was advised to isolate the person, provide a mask till he or she is examined by a doctor and inform the public health authority for further action. Disinfection of the premises is to be done if a person is found positive.

In religious places, it is advised not to touch holy books or idols, washing of hands with soaps to be made compulsory, no common praying mats to be used, no physical offering of prasadams and all community kitchens to follow social distancing. At restaurants it is advised that takeaways must be encouraged, usage of disposable paper tokens, seating to be arranged keeping physical distancing in mind.

All the establishments to be opened on Monday that stern action will be taken if they fail to follow the SOPs issued by the government.