Sabarimala Temple was open to worshipers for five days in October (File)
Thiruvananthapuram:
With Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala all set to start its annual two-month Mandala-Makaravillaku season from November 16, the government of Kerala has issued a health advisory to ensure strict compliance by pilgrims when trekking to the shrine. of the hill to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
As religious congregations and pilgrimages have proven to be the hotbeds of transmission of the virus around the world and in various parts of the country, the left-wing government is taking all precautions as lakhs of pilgrims invade the state during the season. pilgrims.
The temple was open to worshipers for five days last month during the month pujas, after remaining closed for more than six months.
Closed spaces with poor air circulation, crowded places, close contact between pilgrims should be avoided and to ensure a safe pilgrimage it is necessary to limit the number of pilgrims allowed each day, according to the advice.
The government decided to allow 1,000 pilgrims every day to offer prayers.
Pilgrims should frequently wash their hands, maintain their physical distance, use face masks and carry hand sanitizers, according to the advisory.
Those who have been recently exposed to the disease or who have experienced symptoms such as cough, breathing problems, loss of smell and fatigue should stay away from the trip, he added.
All pilgrims will be required to carry a negative COVID-19 certificate with tests performed 24 hours before reaching Nilakkal base camp.
They can also be tested from “STEP” kiosks run by government or private agencies that have been set up in major public places and on the way to Sabarimala, he said.
Since 10% of patients who have recovered from Covid may have persistent symptoms that may persist for up to three weeks after recovery, and 2% may have symptoms that persist for more than three months after recovery, these devotees should avoid the pilgrimage, according to the advice.
All those who have recovered from the disease and those who have been asymptomatic should undergo a graduated exercise program and a pulmonary rehabilitation program spread over weeks to ensure their physical condition before embarking on the pilgrimage.
As the congregation of people can facilitate the transmission of the disease, overcrowding in the base camps of Nilakkal and Pamba should be avoided, he added.
Drivers, cleaners and cooks accompanying the pilgrims have been urged to follow all protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
An acceleration in the transmission of COVID-19 during religious gatherings has been observed in many places in Malaysia, India, Pakistan and South Korea, according to the advisory.
Transmission of Covid has been observed at Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati even after following strict COVID protocols.
Many pilgrimages such as Kailash and Amarnath Yatras had been suspended this year, while the Hajj had been drastically reduced.
Ayyappa Temple was open to worshipers for the monthly five days pujas from October 17 after being closed for the last six months.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
