20 Nov
Vice President U Myint Swe presided over a coordination meeting of the Steering Committee tasked with holding the annual Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
In delivering a speech at the meeting, the Vice President said that the Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony had been held annually in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory since 2012, and the upcoming 9th event will be held in line with the rules and guidelines of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health and Sports as well as various appeals to the people, orders, ordinances and directives.
He also discussed preventive measures against the disease by disinfection at the ceremony area, health tests for persons who will perform duties at the ceremony, distribution of masks, face shields and gloves for the congregation, making advance arrangements to provide hand sanitizers/gels for attendees before coming into the ceremony and measures for compliance with the 21 standard guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Sports for the ceremony.
A total of 18 members of the Sangha, including senior monks from the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, will be invited to the ceremony.
The Vice President also gave instructions to the relevant committees on preparing accommodations for the Sayadaws who are visiting Nay Pyi Taw, setting up medical clinics, the readiness of medicines and medical supplies, making social distancing plans at the venue of the ceremony and other decorations at the event.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko and Deputy Minister U Kyi Min reported on preparations for successful holding of the ceremony, invitation to the monks, formation of sub-committees and conducting rehearsals.
Next, senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture presented preparations for donation items, offering meals to members of the Sangha and transportation.
Officials from the relevant ministries also discussed various details of the programme, releasing information about the ceremony, COVID-19 preventive measures, measures to ensure that the 21 standard guidelines are followed at the ceremony, decorations, security measures, logistics and electricity supply.
The Vice President gave advice and suggestions to ensure coordination based on the discussions after which the meeting was concluded.
MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)
