Allow only 5K pilgrims to Sabarimala, say experts
Rajiv.G@timesgroup.com
Thiruvananthapuram 08.09.2020
: An expert team of doctors, who conducted a study on averting the acceleration of Covid-19 cases during Sabarimala pilgrimage, has suggested that the devotees should be restricted to a maximum of 5,000 for the entire 42-day season starting November.
The experts say Covid-19 spread was controlled during Haj pilgrimage as they had cut down the number of devotees considerably. They have warned a huge spread if uncontrolled entry through virtual queue system is allowed.
The expert team headed by Dr K Rajashekaran Nayar, professor, global institute of public health, has said if the pilgrimage season is conducted unrestricted, disease importation can happen via pilgrims originating from states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
“We recommend a highly restricted event by reducing the number of pilgrims to 5,000 over the 42-day period and fully complying with Covid-19 mitigation principles while respecting the religious sentiments surrounding the event. This recommendation is based on the existing World Health Organization guidelines on mass gathering in general and based on the criteria used during the restricted Haj 2020,” said Nayar.
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