Cincinnati (Ohio, US), April 2, 2020: In keeping up with the new social distancing norms, Sikh gurdwaras across the world are adopting various policies that range from locking the buildings to temperature checkups of the attendees.
Under the leadership of Jasminder Singh Banty, Guru Nanak Society of Cincinnati gurdwara has taken a different approach. The regular services have been suspended, but the premises are open 24/7 to the devotees.
The committee has placed napkins, paper towels, and hand sanitizers at various places inside the building, starting from outside the doors. Anyone going inside the gurdwara is instructed to follow the following set of instructions, posted on the doors:
• Take a Napkin
• Touch doors or other surfaces only via a Napkin
• Go to the bathroom & wash your hands with soap and water. Discard your napkin in a trash can and take a new one.
• Go to the Diwan Hall to pay your respects, making sure not to touch anything with your bare hands.
• If you see others present inside, please keep distance from them.
• No one except Bhai Sahib(s) is permitted to do chaur seva or read from Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
• After paying your respects, please exit the building without touching anything with your bare hands.
• Discard your napkin in the bin kept outside of the main door.
• Lastly, If you are Sick, have health issues, have a temperature, then please do not visit gurdwara until you are fully recovered.