Harleen Kaur Grewal

New Delhi, March 17, 2021: The people of Delhi coming from the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar have been advised to undergo an RT-PCR test for coronavirus screening (COVID-19) and self-monitor their health when they return.

In an advisory, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has asked people to take extra precautions and follow the guidelines related to COVID-19. It is reported that the Mela starting from April 1 is expected to reach Delhi in large numbers.

According to the advisory, the Uttarakhand government has appealed to devotees to take extra precautions during their visit to the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pilgrims traveling from Delhi are to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the Kumbh Mela for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as all the guidelines issued by the Government of Uttarakhand.

The SOP of the Ministry of Health states that all pilgrims coming to Kumbh must bring a health certificate issued by the competent authority, which is a mandatory requirement to enter the Kumbh Mela area.

It states that pilgrims must also bring a COVID-19 negative RT-PCR test report, which must not be older than 72 hours from the date of travel at the time of entry into the fair.

He said that all the people coming from Kumbh Mela have been advised to undergo RT-PCR test for coronavirus screening (COVID-19) and self-monitoring of their health on their return.

All visitors must compulsorily register on the portal of Uttarakhand Government before their journey and must download and use the Arogya Setu App at all times as per SOP.

People over 65 years of age, children below 10 years and people suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, hypertension and kidney diseases have been advised not to attend the Kumbh Mela.

Along with this, all the pilgrims should take other precautions like wearing face masks, frequent hand washing and maintaining a physical distance of six feet with each other under social distancing.