The Himachal Pradeshgovernment has made it mandatory to carry a negative RT-PCR report or fullCOVID-19 vaccination certificate for visiting temples in the state during theupcoming festival of ‘Shrawan Ashtami Navratras’, according to an officialorder. The order issued by newly appointed Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singhsaid that people intending to visit various state temples during ‘ShrawanAshtmi Navratras’ from August 9 to August 17 will be allowed to enter the stateand district borders only if they possess a full vaccination certificate (bothdoses) or an RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours.
Under this, they havebeen asked to stop gathering in temples and get them to enter the temple onlyafter thermal screening. It has been asked to make proper arrangements forhand sanitizer in the temple premises. The people coming from outside thestate to have darshan of God in temples have been asked to bring negativereport of RTPCR or certificate of vaccine. This order will remain in forcetill August 18.
The Shrawan AshtamiNavratras end on August 17. During this period, normally thousands of pilgrimsassemble at temples. “It is of utmost importance to maintain Covid-appropriatebehaviour at all shrines. In view of the concern regarding the third wave andthe fact that such kind of gatherings in confined spaces may become superspreader events, guidelines have been issued for the Shrawan AshtamiNavratras,” said Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh.
The decision has beentaken in view of the concern regarding a third wave of COVID-19, he said in theorder. There is a possibility of thousands of pilgrims assembling at varioustemples and religious shrines during the said period in all the districts whichmay lead to huge gatherings, he added. Such gatherings in confined spaces maybecome ‘super spreader’ events and may precipitate COVID-19 cases in variousparts of the state and the country, he added.