Dehradun, March 14:
A negative Covid-19 test report will no more be needed to attend the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, commencing officially from April 1, the new chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat said. The decision to revoke the coronavirus test report requirement was taken to dispel “doubts among people planning to visit Haridwar for Kumbh”, he added.
Rawat told that pilgrims visiting the state to attend the Kumbh Mela will not have to produce the RT-PCR test report mandatorily as they head to the hill state for the holy festival to continue until April 30.
He said, “Kumbh happens only after 12 years. We don’t want people to miss out on the opportunity of experiencing the festival.” Since lakhs of people are expected to partake in the event every day, checking the RT-PCR test reports for all will not be practically possible, the CM said.
Previously, the Trivendra Singh Rawat government had mandated a negative report mandatory as part of the SOPs for the Mela.
“All we want is the happiness of saints, devotees, traders and locals. We will ensure that Covid-19 norms are followed and the required health infrastructure is available for Kumbh,” the new CM said.
On Saturday, CM Rawat chaired a meeting and reviewed the preparedness for Kumbh Mela 2021. He said the state government will ensure that the maximum number of devotees are able to attend the fair amid Covid-19 protocol. “Our aim is to ensure that the maximum number of devotees participate in the fair while maintaining Covid-related guidelines,” he said.
“The fair to be held for 30 days only in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. Government to issue a notification by the end of March”, he had said.
