Badrinath locals worried about resumption of Char Dham Yatra; oppose citing Covid risk

As religious places are set to open from Monday, June 8, preparations of auspicious Char Dham yatra have also been completed; however, local representatives of areas from Brinath Dham from where routes of yatra pass have requested government t to begin yatra in wake of alarming spre of COVID-19 pandemic. Aop Singh, he of Joshimath Block, has said that locals do t want yatra to start as yet. 

"We do t want this yatra to commence. government still wants to proceed with yatra. But we are opposing this because re is a high risk for people living in area getting infected. We need to ensure social distancing and it can only be ensured when yatra will t be allowed. Joshimath is also an area having medical facility. Hence, we request government to t allow this yatra," Singh said.

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"We do t want this yatra to go on this year. re is a threat of spre of coronavirus. We want government to cancel this yatra," Babita Devi, He of Pandukeshwar.

However, Executive Officer of  Nagar Panchayat of Brinath, Sunil Purohit has expressed confidence in preparedness of ministration for yatra in view of COVID-19 pandemic, ding that Nagar panchayat is w waiting for ministration's d for yatra to begin.

"We have me all necessary preparation for Yatra to begin. We have me a circle to maintain social distancing. We are sanitizing temples on a daily basis. We have me all arrangements for rmal screening. We are waiting for d of commencement of yatra, we are prepared," Purohit told ANI.

Earlier, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and or hospitality services along with shopping malls will be permitted to open from June 8.

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Centre's SOPs for opening of religious places

• entrance must have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and rmal screening provisions.
• Only asymptomatic persons must be allowed and entry must be staggered
• Shoes/footwear to be preferably taken off inside own vehicle and must be kept in separate slots for each individual/family by persons mselves.
• Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc., outside and within premises shall follow social distancing rms
• For air-conditioning/ventilation, guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasises that temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in range of 24-30 degree Celsius.
• Touching of statues/idols / holy books etc. t to be allowed.
• Large garings/congregation continue to remain prohibited. 
• Recorded devotional music/songs may be played and choir or singing groups should t be allowed.
• Common prayer mats should be avoided and devotees should bring ir own prayer mat, which may take back with m.
• physical offerings like Pras/distribution or a sprinkling of holy water, etc.to be allowed inside
• Community kitchens should follow physical distancing rms while preparing and distributing food.
• Frequent cleaning and disinfection of religious places must be down, with  particular focus on
• lavatories, hand and foot-washing stations/areas.