Rajasthan ends quarantine for arrivals from other states, issues Covid guidelines for Kanwar Yatra

Intrastate travellers to Rajasthan are no longer required to stay in mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has removed the mandatory quarantine orders but has still urged people to restrict movement and take precautions.

Ashok Gehlot has also decided to allow religious places in rural areas which attract not more than 50 devotees a day to reopen from July 1. This is to facilitate earnings of those dependent upon offerings at such small places.

But the Rajasthan government has asked devotees to refrain from embarking on Kanwar Yatra to other states. The government said the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand have conveyed that they would not permit kanwarias to enter their states given the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Rajasthan government said it too is of opinion that such a yatra could spread coronavirus. “We expect devotees to hold prayers within their homes and perform ceremonies locally,” said a senior officer. He said neighbouring states where devotees go for Kanwar yatra too have told their own people to carry out religious ceremonies at home or locally.

Gehlot has also extended the COVID awareness campaign by a week to July 7 to reinforce upon masses the importance of taking preventive measures as a matter of day-to-day living.