Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11: The Independence Day ceremony will be held without exceeding 250 invitees at the State Capital in view of spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala Chief Secretary Dr VP Joy has said. The ceremony in the State capital would consist of unfurling of National Flag at 0900 hrs by the Chief Minister, Playing of the National Anthem, Presentation of Guard of Honour by the Police, Para Military Forces, NCC, etc followed by speech by the Chief Minister. The maximum number of invitees shall not exceed 250, the Chief Secretary said in an order specifying the guidelines to be followed while organizing the ceremony. All contingents and invitees shall be subjected to thermal scanning at the entrance, the Chief Secretary said in his order dated August 10. At the district level, the total number of invitees was limited to 100 while at the Sub-divisional, block, public office or institutional levels, the total number of invitees has been limited to 50. In view of COVID-19 pandemic, large congregation in the ceremonies will not be allowed. Social distancing norms, wearing of masks, proper sanitization, etc shall be followed scrupulously. COVID-19 warriors like doctors, health workers including nurses and paramedics, sanitation workers, etc shall be invariably invited to the ceremony as a recognition of their noble service in the fight against epidemic. However, the total number of above persons shall not exceed 12 in all, except for State level celebrations. General public, Children and Senior citizens shall not be permitted to attend the function.
