UP govt imposes new limit on guests in weddings due to COVID-19 surge

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government has ordered that no more than 100 persons will be allowed at a time in weddings and other functions.

The chief minister gave these instructions at a meeting of Team 11 on Monday morning. The guests will have to adhere to safety protocols that include wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

Adityanath has also asked candidates in the upcoming panchayat elections to campaign only in groups of five and to wear masks.

The new order on Monday is bound to cause considerable inconvenience to those who are hosting weddings in the coming days and have already invited guests more than the prescribed numbers.

"My daughter's wedding is on April 23 and I have already sent out invites to about 200 persons, besides there will be guests coming with the 'baraat'. I do not know how to tell the guests now that I am withdrawing the invite. This is impossible," said Shriram Swarup, a local businessman.

On Sunday, the state administration had issued fresh guidelines for creating containment zones and directed officials for bringing them under tight surveillance. The government has issued separate instructions for multi-story buildings and other residential areas.

Separate guidelines are being framed for multi-storey apartments. As of now, the entire floor of the apartment will be sealed if one coronavirus case is reported and over one case, the entire building will be sealed.