The Uttarakhand government has announced a new SOP for Char Dham Yatra after the Nainital high court removed the cap on the number of pilgrims. The new SOP does away with the requirement for locals to register on the smart city portals before undertaking the yatra. Only those traveling from outside the state would need to register on the portal.
As per SOP, devotees can travel only 15 days after receiving the second dose while those who are not vaccinated need to produce a Covid 19 negative report. In case, authorities detect any person with covid 19 symptoms, the devotees should be taken to the nearest health facility for a check-up.
Meanwhile, the Char Dham Devasthanam Board, which manages the Himalayan shrines and temples in the state, has barred entry into the sanctum sanctorum of three shrines Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath.
Devotees would be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum in Kedarnath only, but not permitted to perform Jalabhishek or touch anything.
