Introduction
Durga Puja is the main annual event of the Swisspuja Association which is held every year at the Schwerzi Hall (henceforth the Venue). Swisspuja is a non-political, socio-cultural and religious association. This protection concept is in accordance with the current federal guidelines1 and shall be put in place for the event. If the Federal or local guidelines are updated in the interim period, relevant clauses of this protection concept shall also be adjusted accordingly. All those involved shall comply with the protection concept. The protection concept also includes the collection of contact data in order to be able to locate close contacts in the event of a newly infected person (ensuring traceability).
Responsibilities
Swisspuja executive committee, volunteers, its service providers are responsible for the fulfilment of the requirements of this protection concept and its compliance. This protection concept is based on the rules of hygiene and conduct from the BAG as of their guidance of 22 June 2020. It stipulates that all events, businesses and schools must plan and implement the necessary spacing between people and hygiene measures. The aim of the protection concepts is to protect participants as effectively as possible from COVID 19 infections.
We recognise that neither the federal government nor the cantons validate or approve protection concepts. Compliance with the protection concepts is monitored by the cantons.
Our Protection Concept
- Entry into the venue will be restricted to registered members only who shall have to pre-register their date and time of participation at the venue using a digital platform.
- Vulnerable individuals (above 65 and with pre-existing conditions) and those with any symptoms of fever, cough or other ill-health will be asked not to visit the venue.
- Respecting the social distance of 1,5m between individuals, entry into the venue shall be restricted to a maximum of 100 persons at any time taking into consideration the size and capacity of the Main Hall, foyer and the stage.
- Full contact details of all participants will be collected and maintained for at least 14 days.
- Mandatory use of masks if anyone is not able to maintain social distance and comes into close contact. Close contact is defined as contact between persons where the distance of 1,5 metres is not maintained for more than 15 minutes (once or cumulatively) without protective measures such as the wearing of hygiene masks or the installation of appropriate barriers.
- Broadcast the event live using digital media so that most people can watch from home.
- Dedicated cleaning team for regular sanitization and ensuring social distancing.
- Food cooked in the kitchen will be fully in accordance with the federal guidelines for Gastronomy. A limited number of volunteers may eat in the venue, strictly following gastronomy norms.
- Pre-packed food will be served to other participants and will be provided as take-away.
- No live cultural events in the evening, these will be pre-recorded and broadcast over digital media (You Tube etc.)
- Respecting the instruction of the BAG that cantons separate the school grounds and, as a matter of principle, not to allow any external persons into the school facilities, the toilet facilities in the basement as well as the cloakrooms in the Schwerzi Hall may have restricted access. The disabled WC can be used. Access to other areas shall be blocked by suitable means.
- Installation of a temporary WC outside the venue in consultation with the Gemeinde staff may be considered.
If the Federal Government or the Canton of Zurich takes further restrictive measures before the event, these will be followed and implemented. This protection concept is being submitted to the Gemeinde for information.
Protection against transmission
There are three main principles for protection from transmission:
• Social distancing, cleanliness, surface disinfection and hand hygiene
• Protection of high-risk category people
• Social segregation of sick persons and those persons who have close contact with sick persons
Compliance with distance rules
Compliance with the distance rule of 1,5 metres remains the most important measure to prevent transmissions, along with the hygiene rules. The following principles will be followed:
- All persons must always be able to maintain a distance of 1,5 metres between themselves, except those that live in the same household.
- The Foyer will be divided into marked sectors where participants will wait to confirm their registration and immediately move into the Main Hall.
- The Main Hall will also be divided into sectors with distance of 1,5 metres between individuals and between groups of families or persons living in the same household. Participants will always maintain this distance.
- The flow of people for filling and emptying the halls and to go to toilets will be directed in one direction such that a distance of 1,5 metres between all persons (except groups of families or persons living in the same household) can be maintained at all times.
- Participants will not be served food or will consume any food within the main Hall.
- Once the Hall has been emptied of participants, a limited number of volunteers may eat in the hall strictly adhering to the federal norms of gastronomy.
- All surfaces will be disinfected after the Hall is emptied and before a new group of participants is allowed inside.
- Food packets will be available for participants to pick up on their way out and take away with them.
Masks will also be available for visitors/ participants in adequate numbers and shall be mandatory in case distance rules are not being followed for any reason for more than 15 minutes.
If protective measures cannot be observed
If these measures cannot be applied for some reason and close contacts may therefore occur, the following applies:
- The organiser informs the visitors about the possible reduction of the safe distance to below 1,5 metres.
- The organiser informs the visitors that the contact details have been collected and that a quarantine may be necessary if close contacts with COVID -19 patients have taken place during the event.
- Contact details shall be maintained per day and time slot for visitors for more precise contact tracing.
- The organizer will ensure that they are able to identify close contacts for 14 days after the event at the request of the cantonal health authorities.
Responsibilities
Swisspuja executive committee has the overall responsibility for the implementation of the Protection Concept. They will appoint a single point of contact for the Protection Concept. This person will be responsible for ensuring that the protection concept is adhered to, adapted and implemented. This includes the storage and disposal of the guest list after 14 days. The name of this person will be informed to the Gemeinde by 30 September 2020.
Swisspuja will also hire a service provider for regular cleaning and hygiene. Hand sanitisers will be placed at the entrance/Foyer and in the Main Hall. All participants will be instructed to sanitize their hands or wash them on entrance and after any physical contact.
Designated Person for the Protection Concept
The Swisspuja Executive committee is responsible for the implementation of the Protection Concept and shall designate one person who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the protection concept. We understand that the verification of compliance with the protection concepts takes place within the framework of cantonal enforcement.