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Vaishnodevi, other temples reopened in J&K
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 8/17/2020 1:12:14 PM
Vaishno Devi yatra resumes from today, devotees must follow SOPs strictly
JAMMU, Aug 16: The religious places in Jammu and Kashmir reopened on Sunday nearly after five months after they were closed as a precautionary measure to contain COVID19.
Asking the devotees to follow the SOPs strictly, the government has made use of AarogyaSetu App by the visitors to religious places mandatory. “However touching statues, idols or holy books will not be permitted.”
In its fresh guidelines, the Jammu and Kashmir government has said that any deviation from SOPs shall attract penal action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
“Yes the religious places have reopened today. However, reopening will be strictly guided by standard operating procedure (SOP),” an official confirmed.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Ramesh Kumar said during the first week, there will be a cap of 2,000 pilgrims each day of which 1,900 will be from Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outside.
Kumar said that people will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage after registration only through online in order to avoid any assembly at the yatra registration counter. The pilgrims will be required to install the AarogyaSetu App on their mobile phones. Wearing face masks and face cover is mandatory and they will have to undergo thermal scanning at yatra entry points.
Children below 10 years, pregnant women, persons with co-morbidities and those above 60 years have been advised to avoid the pilgrimage.
COVID negative reports of the pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir and also from the red zone districts of the Union Territory will be checked and only those with negative reports will be allowed to move towards Bhawan. Ponies, pithus and palkis will not be allowed to ply on the tracks initially.
The CEO informed that booking and sitting of pilgrims in Atka Aarti area and Shradha Suman Vishesh Pooja will not be allowed till further orders.