AGRA: Temples in Mathura and Vrindavan have imposed stringent restrictions on the number of devotees in the premises at any given time amid the Covid-19 scare in the district. The curbs came after 185 people tested positive on Monday and 235 a day earlier, taking the total number of active cases to 739 in the district.
Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has reintroduced online registration system in order to restrict number of devotees. It has also made RT PCR negative test report mandatory for visitors from other states.
In Mathura, the 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of the Dwarkadhish temple has been banned. Distribution of ‘prasad’ and ‘charnamrit’ has also been banned.
Archana Singh, civil judge (junior division), has ordered deployment of police and para military force at the Banke Bihari temple for strict implementation of Covid-19 guidelines and directed the temple management to set up a Covid testing desk at the entry gate for thermal scanning, hand sanitizing and ensuring visitors are wearing a mask.
Rakesh Tewari, public relation officer and legal advisor of Dwarkadhish temple management, said only two gates will be operational for entry and exit of devotees in order to ensure that social distancing is maintained. The devotees will not be allowed to stay for long in the temple, he added.
Meanwhile, BJP MP from Mathura Hema Malini’s personal assistant tested positive for Covid-19. The MP, who tested negative, left for Delhi on Monday.
