Dehradun: It is not mandatory to carry a negative Covid report or vaccination card for pilgrims coming to Uttarakhand for this year’s Char Dham Yatra, a senior government official said on Saturday.
However, they must register in the tourism department’s portal before beginning the pilgrimage, Secretary-General S.S. Sandhu said after holding a meeting with officials Friday night to discuss the yatra and its successful implementation.
Screening of pilgrims coming from abroad for a negative Covid report or vaccination certificate is not mandatory until further notice, S.S. Sandhu said.
It is done so that the devotees have no inconvenience upon their arrival and there are no crowds at the state borders, he said. However, he urged officials to constantly monitor the situation.
The meeting was attended by the state police chief, the secretaries of the health and tourism departments, officials from the Mandir Samiti and the relevant district judges. The Char Dham Yatra begins on May 3 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples.
Kedarnath will open on May 6th and Badrinath on May 8th. As Covid-related restrictions have been lifted, record numbers of pilgrims are likely to visit the temples in the Himalayas this year. Hotels and dharamshalas along the yatra route report that they are fully booked in advance.