Guests at wedding ceremonies are allowed to remove their masks only during dinner or lunch, but they cannot move around the grounds without masks. Otherwise, the administration will slap a fine for if masks are removed in flagrant violation of the Covid norms. A fine of Rs 500 per head is slapped if a person is found not wearing a mask.
Even social distancing is mandatory at wedding ceremonies. The administration has clarified that there will not be any fine if guests remove their masks for the purpose of eating food at marriage functions. But, in fact, people have complained that they were fined when they removed their masks during lunch or dinner.
Similarly, one can invite unlimited guests in slots at wedding ceremonies, but that number should not exceed the stipulated number in any slot. The district administration has fixed the number of attendees for the a wedding ceremony. At a time, there must not be more than 200 in open space (marriage garden) arrangements and 100 in marriage hall arrangements.
Second, the attendees will have to leave the venue by 9.00pm-9.30pm so that they can go back to their homes before the night curfew at 10:00pm. Only the bridegroom and bride’s families can stay back at the venue; they will have to remain at the venue throughout the night before lifting of the night curfew at 6.00am.
Discouraging crowds
The main aim of restricting the number of guests is to discourage gathering of crowds at wedding ceremonies and not create any hindrance in the marriage rituals and reception. All provisions of the guidelines suggest the same thing: minimum gathering at the spot. One can invite guests in slots for dinner, but, at a time, the number should not exceed the stipulated number as per guidelines and corona protocol.
Adminspeak
‘Attendees shouldn’t gather in a crowd at any foodstall. Naturally, one will have to remove his or her mask to eat food and we won’t impose any challan, or fine. But guests aren’t supposed to stroll around the lawns without masks’
— SDM Rajesh Gupta
