Fresh Covid guidelines issued for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. details here

The decision was taken to regulate pilgrims to Vaishno Devi temple to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. In the new order, people visiting the temple will have to undergo a valid and verifiable RT-PCR/Rapid Antigen Test, which is not older than 72 hours of arrival in the Union Territory.

The order said, “Valid and verifiable RT-PCR/Rapid antigen test not older than 72 hours of arrival should be made mandatory. Only those pilgrims will be allowed to visit the temple, who have any COVID. Will not show -19 related symptoms.”

“The due diligence/SOP of COVID-19 should be strictly followed,” said the order undersigned by the Chief Secretary of the UT.

The order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday further informed that only those pilgrims who do not have any COVID symptoms will be allowed to enter the temple.

This comes after observing that there is a disproportionate trend in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory and the existing COVID-19 containment measures need to be continued in all the districts.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 108 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking its tally to 3,31,494, officials said. He said the death toll remained unchanged at 4,429.

Officials said that of the fresh cases, 21 were reported from the Jammu division and 87 from the Kashmir division of the union territory.

At 47, Srinagar district reported the maximum number of cases, followed by Budgam at 14.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 870, officials said. Officials said so far 3,26,195 patients have recovered from the disease.

There were 49 mucormycosis (black fungus) cases in the union territory. He said that no fresh case has been reported since last evening.