Vaishno Devi Yatra 2020 Resumes Today, Check Important Restrictions & Guidelines For Pilgrims

As Vaishno Devi Yatra 2020 resumes today, here are the specific guidelines to be followed.

Representational Photo: PTI

Katra: The pilgrimage for the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir will resume today. The yatra was suspended for nearly 5 months in view of the coronavirus pandemic since March 18.  Here are the specific guidelines to be followed for the Vaishno Devi Yatra:

• To being with, there will be a limit of 2,000 pilgrims each day during the first week.
• Thereafter a maximum of 5,000 pilgrims may be allowed per day till September 30, 2020 - there is a cap of 500 yatris for those coming from outside Jammu & Kashmir.
• The registration for the yatra has to be done online to avoid unnecessary physical contact with crowding.
• Yatris coming from other states and red zones within J&K have to undergo the mandatory Covid-19 antigen test. People will be allowed to proceed only if they test negative.
• Only 600 people, including pilgrims, staff members and security personnel, will be allowed in the main Bhawan area. For this, pilgrims will be staggered accordingly.
• The route towards the main shrine will be put to use for staggering the pilgrims to ensure social distancing among them.
• Wearing a mask is mandatory for everyone.
• People who are over the age of 60, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women, children below the age of 10 have been advised not to visit any religious place in J&K.
• Pilgrims should not stay inside the main shrine after darshan.
• Cleaning and sanitization protocol at all places including the holy caves and main shrine has to be followed.
• Enough points for cleaning hands and feet have to be provided.
• All places such including toilet blocks, bathing ghats, guest houses, battery cars, Helicopters and Cable car have to be sanitised regularly and proper hygiene practises have to be followed.
• Dedicated facilities for Isolation and Quarantine have to be set aside.
• Use of ponies/equines disallowed until further orders.

Meanwhile, following are the general guidelines that have to be followed while going to any place of worship. General guidelines for places of worship:

• Touching of statues, idols and holy books should not be allowed and large gatherings to be prohibited.
• It is important that required social distancing and other preventive measures are followed in those premises.
• Visitors have to be staggered. Footwears to be preferably taken-off inside own vehicle. If needed they should be kept in separate slots for each individual/ family by the persons themselves.
• Social distancing norms (a minimum distance of 6ft) need to be followed.
• Recorded devotional music or songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed.
• Common prayer mats should be avoided and devotees should bring their own mat or piece of cloth to sit on, which they may take back with them.
• No physical offerings like prasad/distribution or sprinkling of holy water, etc should be allowed.
• Community kitchens, langars, 'Ann-Daan' etc at religious places should follow physical distancing norms while preparing and distributing food.
• People aged above 65, having comorbidities, pregnant woman and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home and avoid visiting religious places.
• Hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) needs to be ensured and the entrance needs to mandatorily have thermal screening.
• Asymptomatic people should be allowed inside the premises with face cover or masks.
• Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App advised to all.
• The management must ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection of the floors and other surfaces.
• In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises, the ill person should be placed in an isolated room or area and the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) should be informed. The premises should be disinfected if the person is found positive.