VIJAYAWADA: The rapid antigen test (RAT) for Covid-19 has been mandatory for all Ayyappa devotees at the entry points leading to Sabarimala.
This was stated by Girija Shankar, secretary, revenue (rndowments), and endowments commissioner P. Arjun Rao during a virtual conference on arrangements for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, that was chaired by the Chief Secretary.
They said that pilgrims wishing to visit Sabarimala would have to register themselves with the police on the virtual queue portal http://sabarimaonline.org. Devotees should undergo the antigen test, and will have to pay for it.
They said that only 1,000 pilgrims on a week day and 2,000 on weekends would be allowed to register on a first-come-first-serve basis. Clearance will be given only if the devotees upload the Covid negative certificate obtained 48 hours before registration.
Children below the age group of 10, senior citizens above 60 years and those with co-morbidities are strictly barred, they added.
They stated that the pilgrims should carry with them the BPL and the Ayushman Bharat card. Green abhishek and bathing at Pampa River are prohibited. They mentioned that night halt at the Pampa river, Sannidhanam and the Ganapathi Kovil are also not allowed and pilgrims can enter the temple town only through Erumeli and Vadaserikara routes.
They said that all the district assistant commissioners of endowments are directed to identify at least 15 Guruswamies in their respective districts and hold a meeting with them to bring awareness on the guidelines among the Ayyappa Deekshadharis. They stated that the assistant commissioners are also asked to erect boards displaying the norms at all the railway stations.
The officials said that the transport commissioner of Andhra Pradesh has also been asked to issue necessary instructions to travel agencies in the state.
