People above 65, kids below 10 yrs, pregnant women not allowed to visit Haridwar
Senior citizens above 65 years of age, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 will not be permitted to visit Haridwar during Kumbh Mela at Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Patients with health conditions and comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, chronic lung disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, immune-suppression, and cancer will be “discouraged” to visit.
These are part of the guidelines (SOP) issued by the Centre on Sunday for Kumbh Mela amid Covid-19, asking all devotees desirous of attending the “mela” to register with the Uttarakhand Government. They will also have to obtain a compulsory medical certificate from Community Health Centre/District hospital/ Medical college in their State.
According to the Centre’s guidelines, RT-PCR test should be taken not more than 72 hours prior to their visit to Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela. The reports will also be required to be uploaded on the Uttarakhand Government’s official web portal.
Considered to be the biggest Hindu religious festival, the “Maha Kumbh” is celebrated every 12 years and draws a huge crowd. This year, the Kumbh would continue for two months — from February 27 to April 27 due to Covid-19 crisis.
The Central Government has also acknowledged that since the Maha Kumbh receives devotees from various States of the country as well as from abroad, it is necessary to take precautions.
Moreover, the State Governments have been directed to deploy only those healthcare personnel on duty who have been provided the Covid-19 vaccine shot.
Instructions have been issued to vaccinate the healthcare workers who will be on duty at the Kumbh Mela.
The Health Ministry has also advised the Uttarakhand Government to install foot-operated water taps instead of hand taps. The authorities have been instructed to ensure that social distancing and the highest hygiene standards are maintained to curb the spread of Covid.
Earlier, the Uttarakhand Government on Friday authorised the Garhwal Commissioner and the Kumbh Mela official to allocate works up to worth Rs 5 crore and Rs 2 crore respectively to speed up preparations for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.