| Religious Places to open from August 16, cap of 500 pilgrims per day for Vaishno Devi Shrine | | | Early Times Report
Jammu , Aug 11: Srinagar: As religious premises and places of worship are set to open from August 16, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued separate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the opening of religious places. In its earlier order, the administration had extended the other SOPs for Covid-19 containment till August 31.
The administration has warned of penal action against the people flouting the coronavirus guidelines under the Disaster Management Act 2005.
Taking preventive measures to prevent the COVID-19 from spreading, the government has said that due to relatively large number of pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, there shall be a ceiling of maximum 500 pilgrims per day till September 30.
A maximum of 500 pilgrims per day will be permitted within this ceiling in a graded manner from outside J&K, according to the government order.
Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App has been made mandatory for all pilgrims wishing the Vaishno Devi shrine.
The pilgrims will not be allowed to touch statues, idols of or holy books, the J&K government has said.
Guidelines:
A maximum of 500 pilgrims per day will be permitted within this ceiling in a graded manner from outside J&K. Registration of pilgrims should be made only through online mode, in order to avoid any assembly of persons at current counters.
Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) facilities at multiple locations at the start of yatra route could also be set up to randomly test and identify any potential carrier of infection.
Periodic COVID-19 antigen testing of the exposed / frontline staff of SMVDSB and other service providers in the surrounding area shall be carried out in order to keep a constant tab on the spread of COVID infection in Katra and its surrounding area.
Highest level of cleaning and sanitisation protocol for the sanctum sanctorum, including the holy caves should be followed.
Sanitisation and hygiene of all toilet blocks, bathing ghats, guest houses, battery cars, Helicopters, Cable car shall be ensured.
Optimum use of all Yatra routes to ensure maximum staggering and physical distancing.
Sufficient physical distancing inside the caves to ensure good ventilation. Sufficient facility for washing of hands and feet.
Linen/blanket facility not to be allowed. Pilgrims should not be encouraged to stay at Bhawan after darshans.
Provision of dedicated facilities for Isolation and Quarantine purpose.
Use of equines should not be allowed till further orders.
|
|
