Vaccination certificate or RT-PCR negative report must for visitors to Himachal
Shimla | TNR
The Himachal government has decided to take extra precautions during the “Shravan Ashtami Navratras” celebration in the state from August 9 in view of the current spike in the number of active Covid-19 cases.
Covid appropriate behaviour must at religious places
State executive committee (SEC) chairperson has issued an order stating that it is of utmost importance to enforce Covid-19 appropriate behaviour at all religious places.
This has to be done in view of the concern regarding the third wave of Covid-19 and the fact that such gatherings in confined spaces may become ‘super spreader’ events and may precipitate Covid-19 cases in various parts of the state and the country.
SEC instructions to authorities concerned
Meal officer and police mela officer have been asked to ensure that “no mask-no darshan” police is implemented strictly during the Navratras.
Physical distancing has to be enforced by sensitising and educating devotees besides taking legal action.
Provisions for thermal screening are to be ensured at the entrance of religious places and provisions are also to be made for hand sanitisation.
Devotees visiting Himachal from others states will have to produce Covid-19 vaccination certificate for both doses or RT-PCR negative report issued not older than 72 hours.
Action proposed against violators
Any person producing a fraudulent report shall be penalised under the relevant rules of law.
Any person not following Covid-19 appropriate behaviour shall be liable to be proceeded against as per the provision of Section 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 188 of IPC.
Order duration
This order will come into effect immediately and shall remain in force till August 18, 2021, in all the districts of the state, the SEC said.
