Kartarpur Corridor To Open From Today. RT-PCR Report, Vaccine Proof Mandatory – Check Guidelines

Kartarpur Corridor Reopen: The first batch of pilgrims are scheduled to visit the Gurudwara on Wednesday. Both RT-PCR report and COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate are mandatorily required to travel.

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur shrine in Kartarpur town of Punjab province, Pakistan. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Kartarpur Sahib corridor, way to the most revered Sikh pilgrimage sites in Pakistan, will be reopened for devotees on Wednesday. The first batch of people to visit the Gurudwara post reopening of the corridor would be departing on their holy journey today.

At the same time, the Pakistan government and local authorities have made all necessary arrangements for the visit. The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district.

The announcement to restart the pilgrimage that was suspended since March 2020 following the COVID-19 outbreak came three days before the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on Friday.

Mandatory Guidelines For Those Travelling To Kartarpur:

In view of the current COVID-19 situation, it has been made mandatory to follow several guidelines while travelling.

RT-PCR negative report and Covid-19 vaccination certificate have been made mandatory for travel. All devotees will have to undergo temperature checks and usage of masks has been made mandatory along with following social distancing protocols.

A sanitization tunnel has also been installed within the Gurudwara's premises. However, pilgrims need not go through the RT-PCR test at the Gurudwara.

Passengers with any symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate on an immediate basis.

Leaders React To Reopening Of Kartarpur Corridor:

After the announcement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that nation is all set to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji on November 19 as he was confident that this move will further "boost the joy and happiness across the country".

Welcoming the Centre's decision, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjeet Singh Channi said "Punjab's state cabinet will be part of a group that will visit the Gurudwara in Pakistan on November 18."

India signed the Kartarpur Corridor Agreement with Pakistan on October 24, 2019. Under the agreement, Indian pilgrims of all religions were allowed to travel visa-free throughout the year along the 4.5 km long route. The corridor was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019.