Over 14,000 devotees have arrived in Jammu & Kashmir’s Katra to attend the Yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine during the Navratri Festival as the country experiences the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. 48 followers tested positive on the first day of the festival.
This even comes as a India posted an all-time high of 1.84,372 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION EXCLUDES RESTRICTIONS
The district administration in Reasi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has ordered the strict implementation of the Covid-19 guidelines.
The shrine board has already set a maximum of 25,000 pilgrims per day. This is a rule that has been in place for several months.
Last year, the yatra was suspended after the March 16 pandemic outbreak. However, after a five-month hiatus, the yatra was resumed on August 16, albeit in a regulated manner.
Originally, the shrine board had set an upper limit of 2,000 pilgrims per day. Later, as the situation improved, the upper limit was increased from time to time.
According to officials, by the first day of the 1st century, around 14,000 pilgrims, including J&K locals and outsiders, paid homage at the sacred shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi on the hills of Trikuta
Navratri Festival. However, the final figures have yet to be released by the authorities.
Up to 48 pilgrims from outside J&K were positive by 5pm on the first day of the festival.
COVID NEGATIVE REPORT MANDATORY
A negative Covid-19 report is mandatory for the Yatra to be conducted. Those pilgrims who turn out to be positive are isolated and sent to Covid care centers or paid quarantine facilities in hotels or their hometowns according to the strict Covid protocol.
Pilgrims arriving from other countries will be tested at Katra Railway Station, Jammu Airport and Jammu Railway Station. Yatris on the road are being tested near the Punjab-J&K border in Lakhanpur, Kathua District. Only those Yatris who turn out to be negative are allowed to proceed.
“Covid-19 guidelines are strictly followed. Pilgrims arriving from outside J&K are tested at Katra Station. Only those who test negative are allowed to do the Yatra. Positive cases will be isolated. We give them three options They can either move to a state quarantine center or a paid quarantine facility in the hotel. They can also return to their hometown in specially paid taxis under the strict Covid protocol, “Ashok Kumar, SDM, Katra told India Today.
Yatris who have at least 72 hours of negative Covid-19 reports with them are also allowed to perform the Yatra.
The local pilgrims from J & K are tested at the ‘Darshini Deodi’ – the starting point of the Yatra in Katra.
The wearing of masks is compulsory for all pilgrims, sanctuary staff and security personnel.
DEALERS WHO LOSE FROM LESS FOOTFALL
Meanwhile, Katra merchants and shopkeepers are facing heavy losses as fewer pilgrims arrive from outside J&K compared to pre-Covid times.
“After the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, our sales dropped dramatically. Our business is badly affected. However, we had expected that the situation would slowly return to normal. But the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic dashed our hopes. We will once again have to face the brunt of the pandemic. We appeal to the government to announce a special package for traders and small shopkeepers, “a Katra shopkeeper told India Today.
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