Ensure That 'Kumbh Mela' Doesn't Turn Into COVID Breeding Ground, COVID Test Mandatory: Uttarakhand High Court

However, media reports have suggested that the State Government has now issued an official order making it mandatory for devotees to bring a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours for attending the forthcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.

The Bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma directed the State Government to be vigilant and to ensure that the Mahakumbh mela does not turn into the breeding ground for the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Government's report

Perusing the report submitted by the State Government, the Court observed that there was a dire need to improve the facilities being provided in three different districts (Rishikesh Kumbh area, Tehri Garhwal, and Pauri Garhwal), which covers the Kumbh Mela area.

The Court also noted that the report stated that there are certain common shortcomings which are prevalent in the entire Kumbh Mela area.

The Chief Secretary gave an undertaking that the SOPs issued by the Central Government, and the State Government would be strictly complied with.

He further informed that the State Government would insist that pilgrims coming from every corner of the country, would be required to bring a medical certificate clearly indicating therein that they are not COVID19 positive.

Having gone through the reports submitted by different parties and the affidavit filed by Mr. Deepak Rawat, Meal Adhikari, the Court issued the following directions as under: -

• Chief Secretary to convene a meeting of the District Magistrates of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal districts along with other necessary officers in order to discuss the difficulties faced by the other districts which includes the Kumbh Mela area.
• Ensure that necessary instruction for repair and renovation of the areas are issued to the concerned persons.
• Ensure that the Mahila ghats are supervised and controlled by women police personnel, both in plainclothes and in uniform.
• Strict action shall be taken against any person who tries to photograph or to videotape women while their bathing in the River Ganges.
• Sufficient number of changing rooms shall be created in the Mahila ghat. Moreover, sufficient number of urinals, toilets should be provided in all the ghats so as to cater to the personal needs of the pilgrims
• The Kumbh Mela Authority shall ensure that people are deputed at the entry point of each ghat who will use thermal guns for checking the temperature of pilgrims/visitors who are entering the ghat.
• Ensure that sufficient sanitizers are used for those who are coming to and going from the ghat.
• Ensure that every pilgrim/visitor is wearing a mask while moving above the ghats.
• At strategic places near the ghats, or in the Kumbh Mela area, a sufficient number of kiosks should be created for accommodating the doctors, and the nurses.
• The facilities for vaccinating the pilgrims/visitors should be created, so that, if necessary, the senior citizens can be vaccinated while they are visiting Kumbh mela.
• The State Government should ensure that the SOP issued by the Central Government and by the State Government is strictly adhered to and implemented both in letter and spirit.
• The State must insist that no pilgrim/visitor would be allowed to enter Haridwar, Rishikesh Kumbh Mela area or to enter the State, until and unless, the person carries a medical certificate 10 clearly indicating that he/she is not a COVID-19 positive patient.

Significantly, the Court also observed,

"Already alarm bells are being rung in some parts of the country, especially from the Southern, that COVID-19 pandemic is again raising its head. Therefore, pandemic continues to be a cause of concern for all of us. Some of the Southern and Northern States, like Rajasthan, have started imposing partial lockdown."

Adding that there is a clear indication that we are again entering the phase where the country will face the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court said,

"This Court directs the State Government to ensure that the SOPs issued by the Central Government and the State Government are implemented in the strictest sense, both in letter and spirit."

The matter has now been posted for further hearing on 31^st March 2021.

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