The Himachal Pradesh government has made it mandatory to carry a negative RT-PCR report or full COVID-19 vaccination certificate for visiting temples in the state during the upcoming festival of ‘Shrawan Ashtami Navratras’, according to an official order. The order issued by newly appointed Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh said that people intending to visit various state temples during ‘Shrawan Ashtmi Navratras’ from August 9 to August 17 will be allowed to enter the state and district borders only if they possess a full vaccination certificate (both doses) or an RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours.
Under this, they have been asked to stop gathering in temples and get them to enter the temple only after thermal screening. It has been asked to make proper arrangements for hand sanitizer in the temple premises. The people coming from outside the state to have darshan of God in temples have been asked to bring negative report of RTPCR or certificate of vaccine. This order will remain in force till August 18.
The Shrawan Ashtami Navratras end on August 17. During this period, normally thousands of pilgrims assemble at temples. “It is of utmost importance to maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour at all shrines. In view of the concern regarding the third wave and the fact that such kind of gatherings in confined spaces may become super spreader events, guidelines have been issued for the Shrawan Ashtami Navratras,” said Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh.
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The decision has been taken in view of the concern regarding a third wave of COVID-19, he said in the order. There is a possibility of thousands of pilgrims assembling at various temples and religious shrines during the said period in all the districts which may lead to huge gatherings, he added. Such gatherings in confined spaces may become ‘super spreader’ events and may precipitate COVID-19 cases in various parts of the state and the country, he added.