Kumbh Mela: COVID19 Test Mandatory For Taking Dip In Ganga At Haridwar Says Uttarakhand CM

TPI Staff November 24, 2020

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Mumbai: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Monday that if he wants to take a dip in the Ganga river at the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, it will now be mandatory for everyone to take the COVID-19 test.

Rawat discussed arrangements related to health and safety for organizing Kumbh Mela given COVID-19.

The CM discussed the state officials through video conferencing. He said that the government will be collectively responsible for arranging Kumbh baths for the devotees coming to the event. He said that all the concerned departments should work in mutual coordination for this.

He said that in this regard, arrangements should be made to issue an advisory at the earliest, given the status of COVID-19. The portal should be registered for people coming to Kumbh Mela. He said that the provision of thermal screening, as well as antigen testing, at the entry point, should be made so that people come for the Kumbh bath only after undergoing the COVID-19 test.

He also asked the helpers of ashrams and saints to help spread public awareness. He further stated that the focus should be on mask making systems through self-help groups.

He said that the construction of 1000-bed COVID Hospital in Haridwar should be expedited. Along with accelerating construction, medical colleges and hospitals in Haridwar were also asked to make effective arrangements.

The CM said that an action plan should be made to control the number of devotees at the Kumbh Mela.

He asked the Director-General of Police Ashok Kumar to focus on preparing a contingency plan for crowd control. He said that the availability of medical facilities should be ensured at all entry points.

Further, he asked to focus on providing health facilities to the residents of Haridwar and the people living in the ashrams.