A negative Covid report or vaccination certificate is not required for pilgrims travelling to Uttarakhand for this year’s Char Dham Yatra, according to a top government official on Saturday.
However, before embarking on the pilgrimage, they would be required to register on the tourist department’s webpage, according to Chief Secretary S S Sandhu, following a meeting with officials Friday night to discuss the yatra and how to properly carry it out.
Checking pilgrims arriving from outside the state for a negative Covid report or vaccination certificate will remain optional till additional directives are issued, according to S S Sandhu.
It is being done to ensure that devotees are not inconvenienced upon arrival and that there is no congestion on the state’s borders, he explained.
He did, however, request that officials keep a close eye on the issue.
The conference was attended by the state’s police head, secretaries from the health and tourism departments, Mandir Samiti officials, and district magistrates. The Gangotri and Yamunotri temples open on May 3rd, kicking off the Char Dham Yatra. Kedarnath will open on May 6th, followed by Badrinath on May 8th.
With the removal of Covid-related restrictions, a record number of pilgrims are expected to visit the Himalayan temples this year. Hotels and Dharamshalas along the yatra route are reporting that they are completely booked.