Wedding cards to bear anti-Covid SOPs

Invitations will also mention reduced timings of public gatherings

RAWALPINDI:

People have been directed to print anti-Covid SOPS on wedding cards. The provincial government of Punjab in a bid to encourage citizens to fight the second wave of coronavirus has made it mandatory that invitations to public gatherings, particularly the wedding cards, will bear information regarding the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the prevention of Covid-19 spread.

Besides the regular details of the hosts, venue and time, the invitation cards would also bear a box stating mandatory use of masks and a note on maintaining social distance. Moreover, the invitation card will bear the time limit of the gathering so that people remain punctual.

The duration of wedding receptions has been reduced to two hours to reduce the probability of the spread of virus due to social interaction. The government has also decided that hotel menus and other materials used in the events including tissue paper shall also bear information on coronavirus SOPs.

The Punjab government has decided to go beyond advertisements to sensitise citizens to avoid Covid-19 during the second wave, officials said. The owners of printing presses all over Punjab will be contacted at the district level and informed about printing SOPs on wedding cards.

Moreover, the managements of wedding halls, marquees, hotels and other halls will also be taken on board to ensure the implementation of SOPs particularly wearing of face masks, social distancing and reduced timings of public gatherings. The government has further directed that banners and posters for Covid-19 preventive SOPs should be pasted at prominent public places.